An international position for Madagascar. The ‘Great Island’ takes the reins of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) Council for the 2026-2027 cocoa year. Philippe Fontayne, Vice-President of the National Cocoa Council, was elected president of the organization during the 114th ordinary meeting of the ICCO Council, held in Abidjan during the week of September 14, 2026. This responsibility comes as the global industry faces challenges related to prices, plantation renewal, climate change, and new traceability requirements.
The Malagasy presidency begins a few weeks after Madagascar’s accession to the new International Cocoa Agreement, signed on August 27 in Antananarivo. The country is among the first five signatories of this agreement, which is expected to enter into force on October 1, 2026, alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Nicaragua, Togo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Madagascar exports around 15,000 tons of beans per year, out of a global market of approximately five million tons.
At the head of the ICCO Council, Madagascar intends to bring the concerns of producers to international discussions. Price fluctuations, aging plantations, the effects of climate change, quality and traceability requirements, and the implementation of the European regulation against deforestation are among the issues facing the sector. The question of producer remuneration and their ability to maintain economically viable activity is also among the issues highlighted by the country.
Furthermore, Madagascar has a unique feature in the international cocoa trade. All of its bean exports are recognized as fine and aromatic cocoa under the International Cocoa Agreement. This recognition applies to 100% of the beans exported by the country. The ICCO presidency thus places the Malagasy sector in a position where the promotion of this quality must be linked to production conditions and farm incomes. The announced priorities also focus on plantation renewal, access to adapted plant material, climate adaptation, traceability, and the development of local processing.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-22 16:38:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.2424.mg/organisation-madagascar-prend-la-presidence-de-lorganisation-internationale-du-cacao/
