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Export from Madagascar
A short guide for companies selling from Madagascar: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Madagascar sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$2.48 billion
Merchandise exports were US$2,481,009,237 in 2025, as Madagascar reported them to UN Comtrade.
Source: UN Comtrade, Madagascar exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exportsEstimate
US$1.81 billion
Services exports were US$1,814.28 million in 2025, flagged as estimated by UNCTADstat.
Source: UNCTADstat, services exports by category (WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Unwrought nickel (HS 7502)US$440.1 million
- 2. Cloves (HS 0907)US$150.3 million
- 3. Men's suits, jackets and trousers (HS 6203)US$131.3 million
- 4. Vanilla (HS 0905)US$128.3 million
- 5. Titanium ores (HS 2614)US$118.1 million
- 6. Essential oils (HS 3301)US$98.7 million
- 7. Cobalt intermediate products (HS 8105)US$95.4 million
- 8. Sweaters and pullovers (HS 6110)US$94.2 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Cocoa beans (HS 1801)US$83.9 million
- 10. Crustaceans (HS 0306)US$78.7 million
- 11. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$64.2 million
- 12. Precious and semi-precious stones (HS 7103)US$56.6 million
- 13. T-shirts and knitted tops (HS 6109)US$55.3 million
- 14. Women's suits, jackets and dresses (HS 6204)US$50 million
- 15. Prepared and preserved fish (HS 1604)US$43.5 million
- 16. Prepared vegetables (HS 2005)US$40.6 million
- 17. Men's woven shirts (HS 6205)US$39.2 million
- 18. Men's knitted shirts (HS 6105)US$37.1 million
- 19. Dried beans and pulses (HS 0713)US$36.9 million
- 20. Baskets and wickerwork (HS 4602)US$30.8 million
- Nine mineral and fuel lines, led by unwrought nickel, titanium ores and cobalt, are 34.9 percent of 2025 merchandise exports, so the top of this list reflects mining. Source (opens in a new tab)
- UN Comtrade shows no separate re-export flow for Madagascar, so flow X is reported as a whole and may include re-exports. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Clothing is the main export of free zone enterprises, which must export at least 95 percent of output, per the WTO review. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Madagascar exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- France18%
- United States15.9%
- China8.2%
- Japan6.9%
- Netherlands6.1%
- India5.6%
- South Korea5.2%
- South Africa3.8%
Source: UN Comtrade, Madagascar exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks cloves, men's suits, jackets and trousers and vanilla as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Madagascar’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Madagascar exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 1, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Prepared and preserved fish grew 106% from 2024 to 2025; essential oils grew 32% from 2024 to 2025. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.
Source: UN Comtrade, Madagascar exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 1, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Malagasy goods that meet AfCFTA origin rules may get reduced tariffs in states applying their schedules, once Madagascar publishes an operational route.
Ratification is not trading: customs publishes an origin guide but no tariff schedule or certificate route; confirm with customs that preferences apply before you claim them.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 8, 2025
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area
Removes import duties on goods that meet SADC origin rules, for sales to other member states.
Needs an SADC certificate of origin; a few excluded products stay taxed.
Source: Madagascar customs, SADC page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area
Removes tariffs on goods that qualify as COMESA origin, for sales to other free trade area members.
Only 16 of 21 COMESA members are in the free trade area; check the destination.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 8, 2025
COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area
Would widen tariff-free trade across three regional blocs once Madagascar ratifies.
In force since July 25, 2024 for ratifying states; Madagascar has signed but not ratified.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 8, 2025
Show 5 more agreements
Interim Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union
Gives duty-free, quota-free access to the European Union for almost all Malagasy goods.
Talks on an enhanced agreement concluded on June 10, 2026; check which text applies to your goods before you claim it.
Source: European Commission, Eastern and Southern Africa partnership (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
United Kingdom–Eastern and Southern Africa Economic Partnership Agreement
Gives Malagasy goods preferential access to the United Kingdom, on terms that mostly mirror the European Union agreement.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 8, 2025
AGOA
Lets eligible Malagasy goods, including apparel with a textile visa, enter the United States duty-free.
Eligibility is reviewed each year and the program runs to December 31, 2028; check current United States duties on your goods before you quote.
Source: Federal Register, AGOA eligibility review notice, 30 June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026
European Union Everything But Arms
Gives least developed countries duty-free, quota-free access to the European Union for all goods except arms.
New GSP rules start January 1, 2027; check that origin rules still match your goods.
Source: European Commission, Everything But Arms country list (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
United Kingdom's Developing Countries Trading Scheme
Gives least developed countries comprehensive tariff preferences on goods sold to the United Kingdom.
Rules-based preference; check the tier list and origin rules before you claim it.
Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Madagascar
- Register as a foreign trade operator with the trade ministry and customs, after company registration, a tax number and a statistical card.Ministère du Commerce et de la Consommation (MCC); Direction Générale des DouanesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Madagascar customs, rules of origin page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- For vanilla and cloves, get the season’s exporter approval from the trade ministry on its ALALANA platform; other controlled goods need a prior authorization through MIDAC.Ministère du Commerce et de la Consommation (MCC)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Trade ministry, clove export approval notice 278-26 (in Malagasy) (opens in a new tab) · as of September 29, 2026
- Check the banned list and the customs list of goods needing special papers, such as timber, raphia, sisal and CITES species.Ministère du Commerce et de la Consommation (MCC); Direction Générale des DouanesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Madagascar customs, prohibitions and formalities page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- For plant products, get a phytosanitary certificate, now available digitally; animal products need a health certificate from an official veterinarian.Direction de la Protection des Végétaux (DPV)Phytosanitary certificate free of charge, as of 2025Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 8, 2025
Show 5 more export steps
- For packaged foods and plant-origin farm goods, get the packaging and origin inspection certificate before shipment.Service de la Qualité et du Conditionnement (MCC)0.5 percent of invoice value, as of 2025Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 8, 2025
- Domicile the commercial invoice at a local bank and get the technical ministries’ approval, in line with the foreign currency repatriation rule.Local approved bank; Direction Générale des DouanesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 8, 2025
- Obtain the proof of origin for your destination: a customs or chamber visa on the certificate, an AGOA textile visa, EUR.1 or a REX statement.Direction Générale des Douanes; Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie d'AntananarivoOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Madagascar customs, rules of origin page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- File the export declaration through an approved customs broker or an accredited trader, on the GasyNet platform.Direction Générale des DouanesGasyNet levy of EUR 10 per 20-foot or 40-foot export container, as of 2025Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 8, 2025
- Ask about the customs economic regimes and the free zone regime if you manufacture mainly for export.Direction Générale des Douanes; Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Madagascar customs, economic regimes page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Customs and INSTAT. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
- Research markets
National statistics office
INSTAT
Institut National de la Statistique
Publishes the consumer price index and a monthly economy dashboard that includes export data.
Visit INSTAT (opens in a new tab)Source: INSTAT, economic dashboard no. 63, August 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of August 24, 2026
- Get advice
Trade ministry
MCC
Ministère du Commerce et de la Consommation
Approves vanilla and clove exporters each season through its ALALANA platform, and its export promotion service answers applicants’ questions.
Visit MCC (opens in a new tab)Source: Trade ministry, clove export approval notice 278-26 (in Malagasy) (opens in a new tab) · as of September 29, 2026
Show 4 more organizations
Trade facilitation committee
Trade Facilitation Committee
Comité National de Facilitation des Echanges de Madagascar
Publishes the trade information portal, with step-by-step import and export guidance and the list of banned exports.
Visit Trade Facilitation Committee (opens in a new tab)Source: Madagascar trade information portal, home (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
Regional economic community
SADC
Southern African Development Community
Regional body
Sets the rules of the SADC free trade area, which Madagascar has belonged to since 2008; qualifying goods travel on an SADC certificate of origin.
Visit SADC (opens in a new tab)Source: Madagascar customs, SADC page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get advice
Trade support agency
ITC
International Trade Centre
Multilateral body
Provides Trade Map, which shows world trade flows by product and country.
Visit ITC (opens in a new tab)Source: ITC, Trade Map home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
Multilateral trade body
WTO
World Trade Organization
Multilateral body
Publishes the Madagascar trade policy review and the Trade4MSMEs tool.
Visit WTO (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Madagascar member information (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs
Direction Générale des Douanes
Publishes rules of origin by agreement and checks origin papers before it visas them, including AGOA textile visas.
Visit Customs (opens in a new tab)Source: Madagascar customs, rules of origin page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax administration
DGI
Direction Générale des Impôts
Collects domestic taxes; the finance ministry lists its income tax simulator and its Hetraonline taxpayer portal.
Visit DGI (opens in a new tab)Source: Economy and finance ministry, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
Plant protection authority
DPV
Direction de la Protection des Végétaux
Inspects plant exports at the border and issues phytosanitary certificates, now also in digital form.
Visit DPV (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 8, 2025
- Meet requirements
National standards body
BNM
Bureau des Normes de Madagascar
Develops national standards, certifies products and manages the NMG national conformity mark.
Visit BNM (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 8, 2025
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Free zone enterprises association
GEFP
Groupement des Entreprises Franches et Partenaires
Represents free zone enterprises and partners across sectors from textiles to information technology.
Visit GEFP (opens in a new tab)Source: GEFP, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Essential oil exporters group
GEHEM
Groupement des Exportateurs d'Huiles essentielles et Extraits de Madagascar
Groups essential oil and plant extract exporters and publishes a product catalog of its members.
Visit GEHEM (opens in a new tab)Source: GEHEM, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
CCIA
Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie d'Antananarivo
Supports small firms with guidance on trade agreements, a business directory and company-creation information.
Visit CCIA (opens in a new tab)Source: CCIA, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Political transition
The British foreign office says a transitional government was formally set up on October 17, 2025, and SADC lists Colonel Michael Randrianirina as head of state.
What to do: Check current government notices before you sign contracts or file approvals.
Sources: FCDO, Madagascar travel advice, September 2026 (opens in a new tab); SADC, Madagascar member state page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Vanilla and clove licensing
The 2025-2026 vanilla season closed on June 30, 2026 with no 2026-2027 notice found, and 2026-2027 clove approvals were filed on ALALANA until October 17, 2026.
What to do: Confirm this season’s approval, campaign dates and minimum price with the trade ministry before you contract.
Sources: Trade ministry, clove export approval notice 278-26 (in Malagasy) (opens in a new tab); Trade ministry, vanilla season 2025-2026 notice (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Logistics and border performance
The WTO review says exporters must physically domicile invoices at a bank and visit ministries for approvals, and it calls for streamlined controls.
What to do: Allow time for in-person approvals before the shipment date.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Currency and settlement
The WTO review says Decree 2022-1183 requires ordinary-regime exporters to sell 70 percent of export earnings on the exchange market within 30 days.
What to do: Confirm with your bank how the 70 percent rule applies before you quote prices.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Madagascar, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more
Climate and water
The 2026 amending finance law says cyclones Fytia and Gezani flooded key rice areas and damaged cash crops and the Ambatovy mining installations in early 2026.
What to do: Check weather exposure of your supply sites and your insurance terms.
Source: Amending Finance Law 2026, Law 2026-004 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Madagascar project.
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Promote:Madagascar is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.