ICCO cocoa producers convene in Brussels ahead of upcoming sessions

This meeting was a prelude to the upcoming ICCO sessions scheduled for June 29 and 30, 2026, and served to review previous discussions held on April 28, May 18, June 1, and June 16. Following a significant drop in international cocoa prices, ICCO producer countries have initiated efforts to establish a continuous and constructive dialogue with the industry. During the Brussels exchanges, Catherine Etzminger, Director General of the European Cocoa Association, presented on her organization and addressed questions from the working group members.

Additionally, Lanto Raharinosy from Madagascar's Ministry of Commerce and Consumption contributed to discussions on the challenges of the Codex Alimentarius. The participants also debated a draft declaration and a draft resolution. They reaffirmed that a sustainable improvement in producer incomes is crucial for the cocoa sector's viability and the success of any sustainability policy.

They encouraged ongoing initiatives to strengthen producers' economic resilience and promote a more equitable distribution of value throughout the supply chain. The participants also asserted producers' right to a fair share of the value created, reflecting the quality and character of their product, emphasizing that this remuneration should reflect cocoa's market value rather than solely