Member since 2025
Credit EUR 130'000
Philea supports the Malagasy cooperative COPROCASA in structuring its organic cocoa value chain. This new financing enables small producers in the Sambirano region to sell their cocoa at a remunerative price on international markets. With the backing of Altromercato, an Italian fair-trade cooperative, the project aims to strengthen governance, improve internal management, and stabilize the incomes of producer families.
Project description
COPROCASA is a cooperative created in 2012 in northern Madagascar. Today it brings together around one hundred small organic cocoa producers, with the goal of reaching 240 members by the end of 2025. After several years of instability linked to weak governance, the cooperative resumed its export activities in 2019 thanks to the support of international partners. It now markets certified organic cocoa. Philea provides financing for the cash purchase of members’ production in order to fill a container that will be sold to Altromercato. This financing meets a crucial need: enabling COPROCASA to access the liquidity required to secure cocoa purchases, retain its members, and strengthen its position in a demanding yet promising international market.
Challenges & perspectives
COPROCASA still faces several structural challenges, including fragile governance, a rudimentary accounting system, and short-term cash management. As it gives priority to remunerating its members, the cooperative only marginally strengthens its equity base, which can limit its borrowing capacity. Moreover, its dependence on a single buyer, Altromercato, exposes it to commercial risk. Production also remains vulnerable to climate hazards that affect cocoa quality and volumes. Nonetheless, prospects are encouraging. Philea’s support and Altromercato’s technical assistance will help professionalize internal management, improve financial transparency, and implement a genuine development strategy. Improving the quality of certified cocoa, increasing membership, and gradually diversifying market outlets will ultimately strengthen the cooperative’s economic and environmental resilience.
Key figures
Total assets: : EUR 147’000
Equity: : EUR 6’400
Turnover: EUR 863’000
Net result: EUR 15’900
Number of beneficiaries: 100 producers
Impact on producers: +31% income compared with the local market
Certifications: BIO – ECOCERT EOS
Philea’s Intervention
Purpose of funding: Pre-financing cocoa purchases for export to Altromercato
Disbursement: August 2025
First Loan: EUR 130’000
Outstanding: EUR 130’000
Guarantee: Export contract with Altromercato
Repayment : according to schedule
Usefull data
Country: Madagascar
Head office: Ambanja District – Sambirano
Philea member since: 2025
Impacts
- Contribution to stabilizing producers’ incomes through cash purchases
- Training members in agroforestry practices
- Chemical-free agriculture
- Average 31% increase in income for member producers.
- Inclusion of smallholders (less than 2 ha), without discrimination by gender, religion, or status.
- Support for strengthening the cooperative’s organizational structure and professionalizing its teams