Madagascar has formalized its commitment to the international cocoa sector by signing the 2026 International Cocoa Agreement with the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). The ceremony took place on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Colbert Hotel in Antananarivo, with Michel Arrion, executive director of the ICCO, in attendance. For Madagascar's authorities, this accession represents a strategic step to consolidate the country's cocoa position on international markets.
The key advantage lies in product quality. One hundred percent of Madagascar's cocoa exports are classified as "fine or aromatic cocoa," a distinction that provides significant market positioning. The country aims to better leverage this advantage to increase export value and economic returns for producers.
Through the Ministry of Commerce and Consumption and the National Cocoa Council, authorities plan to continue efforts in the sector. Priorities include improving quality, strengthening traceability, and developing local processing. The goal is to create more value within Madagascar while enhancing national cocoa competitiveness.
The agreement should also strengthen Madagascar's exchanges with other global cocoa sector players. Technical and financial support could help improve production practices and support sector development.
Increasing production remains a challenge. Michel Arrion emphasized the need for Madagascar to increase volume without compromising the quality that distinguishes its cocoa. Excessive supply growth could create a global market surplus and pressure prices downward.