Arabfields, Nadia Fatima Zahra, Arabfields, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire — The Ivorian government has expanded the mandate of the Cotton, Cashew and Shea Council (CCAK) to oversee the country’s mango industry, in a move aimed at improving production, reducing post-harvest losses and protecting access to international markets.
The decision was adopted at a cabinet meeting on September 23, 2026, extending the regulatory framework previously applied to cotton and cashew to include mango production, marketing and industry development.
Under the new arrangement, CCAK will be responsible for regulating, monitoring and supporting the mango value chain. Its governing board will also include a representative of the mango industry’s interprofessional organisation, giving producers and other industry participants a formal role in sector oversight.
The reform comes as Côte d’Ivoire seeks to strengthen its position in international fruit markets while addressing persistent challenges affecting growers, exporters and processing companies.
Mango exports have more than doubled over the past decade, rising from 27,600 tonnes in 2015 to 64,100 tonnes in 2024. Export revenues increased from 8.9 billion CFA francs to 26 billion CFA francs over the same period, reflecting the growing commercial importance of the fruit.
Despite that expansion, a substantial share of the country’s mango harvest remains outside export markets.
In 2024, national production was estimated at 198,700 tonnes, but only about 32% was exported. The remainder was directed towards domestic consumption and other outlets, with limited processing capacity and inadequate post-harvest infrastructure restricting the industry’s ability to capture additional value.
For farmers in northern Côte d’Ivoire, where mango cultivation provides an important source of income, these losses can translate into lower earnings, particularly when fruit cannot reach buyers quickly enough or fails to meet export standards.
Post-harvest losses are estimated to reach as much as 40% of national production annually, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing producers and traders.
The government’s decision follows discussions between Agriculture Minister Bruno Nabagné Koné and industry representatives, including Vincent Omer-Decugis, president of the Ivorian Import and Marketing Company, in July.
Those discussions focused on strengthening protection against the fruit fly, a persistent threat to mango production and exports, and maintaining access to international markets. The parties agreed on an action plan, although its specific measures have not been disclosed.
The expanded regulatory mandate is expected to provide a more coordinated approach to production standards, market oversight and industry development. However, its impact will depend on the implementation of practical measures to support farmers, improve pest control and strengthen infrastructure.
Processing is also expected to play a growing role in the sector’s development. In December 2024, the Agricultural Sector Development Support Program sought 14 billion CFA francs in private investment to finance an agro-industrial mango processing facility in northern Côte d’Ivoire.
If financing is secured and processing capacity expands, the country could reduce losses, create additional outlets for fruit that does not meet fresh-export requirements and increase the value generated locally.
With exports already showing significant growth, improved regulation and investment in processing could support further expansion of the industry in the coming years. For growers and exporters, the immediate priority will be ensuring that the new framework translates into more reliable market access, lower losses and stronger returns from each harvest.
