The Malagasy cocoa sector is beginning to generate tangible benefits for the country. Despite the tense context in the international cocoa market, Madagascar successfully exported nearly 14,000 tons in 2025.
According to the National Cocoa Council (CNC), foreign exchange earnings generated by Malagasy cocoa are now valued at $100 million. Despite the crisis affecting the sector, the Great Island continues to defend this industry, which is vital for thousands of farmers. In Brussels, the capital of standards and market power, tense negotiations regarding the future of the cocoa sector took place, where Madagascar presented strategic arguments backed by data.
Cocoa exports from the Great Island in 2025 are estimated at nearly 14,000 tons, an increase of over 100% compared to a decade ago, when the country exported about 7,000 tons. “National cocoa production has increased significantly in recent years, with the development of its cultivation in rural areas,” says Grégory Rabeson, Executive Director of the CNC. Although Madagascar represents only 0.3% of the global market, which totals 5 million tons annually, it has insisted on making its voice heard.
“For Madagascar, this participation is a source of national pride. Our country is not among the largest producers in volume, but it possesses a unique asset: fine and aromatic cocoa recognized for its exceptional quality. This distinction gives Madagascar special legitimacy when it comes to advocating for better cocoa valuation and fairer incomes for producer families,” notes Grégory Rabeson.
According to data from the National Cocoa Council, purchase prices for cocoa beans from producers have risen sharply over the last ten years, from 1,500 ariary per kilo in 2016 to over 40,000 ariary per kilo currently. These producing regions now receive between 420 and 450 billion ariary per year. The sector faces major structural challenges, including price volatility, climate change, and regulatory pressure, as highlighted by the 2025 Cocoa Barometer, which also points to emerging dynamics of cooperation and sustainability.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-14 05:56:38 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/filieres-dexportation-le-cacao-genere.html
