Madagascar: Opening of the first controlled cocoa market

The local cocoa trade is now benefiting from better supervision with the opening of the first controlled markets in production areas.

One step further towards optimizing resources from the flagship products of the regions. Following several meetings between the National Cocoa Council (CNC), technicians from the Ministry of Commerce and agronomic institutes such as FOFIFA, the first controlled cocoa market was launched in Ambanja on Wednesday. This is an innovative initiative for the Sambirano region, the main cocoa production area. Inaugurations will continue throughout this month of March in the nineteen communes of this district.

“This controlled market is designed as an open trading place all year round, managed by local authorities. It is the mayors and chiefs of fokontany who are responsible for determining the days and locations of markets in each commune,” explained the General Directorate of Commerce for the Diana region.

For local officials, this initiative is an opportunity for producers and collectors of these golden bean fruits. For years, the trade in this product was conducted in an almost anarchic manner, with no formal structure. Furthermore, the state will not set prices, leaving this responsibility to producers and collectors on market day.

“The operating hours of each market are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but transactions end at 5:00 p.m. Each product must be accompanied by a receipt and a pass, in numbered packages corresponding to the weight of the quantity of products per package,” it is specified.

Reputation

Beyond monitoring the quality of products, the main objective of this project is to maintain the already good reputation of Madagascar cocoa, while combating any irregularities in this sector. Professionalization and formalization of activities within the cocoa sector are among the priorities of the Commerce authorities. Thus, only collectors and sub-collectors with a Professional Identity Card (CIP) issued by technicians from the General Directorate of Industrialization and Commerce have the right to purchase cocoa (fresh beans, dry beans) at controlled markets.

“Individuals not registered with tax centers must regularize their payment situation, by paying a sum of one hundred thousand ariary to obtain a permit and other market-related documents,” it is explained.

After Ambanja, the establishment and operation of all markets will continue in the districts of Ambilobe and Nosy Be. In total, seven markets will be inaugurated in April.

Itamara Randriamamonjy