Madagascar's cocoa sector is beginning to deliver concrete benefits for the country. Despite tensions in the international cocoa market, the island nation successfully exported nearly 14,000 tonnes in 2025. According to the National Cocoa Council (CNC), the cocoa sector generates over 430 billion ariary annually. Madagascar's cocoa exports now generate approximately $100 million in foreign currency, according to the CNC. Despite the crisis affecting the sector, the island continues to support this vital industry for thousands of farmers. In Brussels, the capital of standards and market power, tense negotiations on the future of the cocoa sector took place. Madagascar presented strategic advocacy backed by data. The island's 2025 cocoa exports are valued at nearly 14,000 tonnes, representing an increase of over 100% compared to a decade ago, when Madagascar exported approximately 7,000 tonnes. "National cocoa production has increased significantly in recent years, with cultivation expanding into rural areas," says Grégory Rabeson, executive director of the CNC. Negotiations in Brussels at the end of June were intense. At the negotiating table, Madagascar, representing only 0.3% of the global cocoa market, insisted on making its voice heard in a market worth 5 million tonnes annually. Exceptional Quality "For Madagascar, this voice is a matter of national pride. Our country is not among the world's largest producers by volume, but it possesses a unique advantage: fine, aromatic cocoa recognized for its exceptional quality. This difference gives Madagascar particular legitimacy when defending better cocoa valuation and more equitable income for farming families," explains Grégory Rabeson. He adds: "By actively participating in these discussions, Madagascar defends not only its cocoa but also the place of producers in the global chocolate economy." According to data from the National Cocoa Council, cocoa bean purchase prices from producers have increased significantly over the past decade. They have risen from 1,500 ariary per kilogram in 2016 to over 40,000 ariary per kilogram currently in producing regions. Income generated directly in rural areas has grown substantially since the sector's restructuring. Producing regions now receive between 420 and 450 billion ariary annually, according to CNC estimates. Through the National Cocoa Council, Madagascar advocated for fair producer compensation. This approach addresses the foundation of Madagascar's cocoa supply chain. The sector faces major structural challenges, including historical price spikes, growing climate change effects, regulatory pressure, and persistent producer poverty, according to the 2025 Cocoa Barometer. The report nevertheless highlights emerging dynamics of cooperation, governance, and sustainability that could support a more resilient transformation of the cocoa value chain.