Madagascar Initiates Safeguard Investigation on Certain Juices, Nectars and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Summary
The WTO Committee on Safeguards received notification from Madagascar on 17 April 2026 that it initiated a safeguard investigation on 15 April 2026 concerning imports of certain unfermented fruit juices, nectars, and non-alcoholic fruit-flavoured beverages. The investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports are causing or threatening serious injury to Madagascar's domestic juice industry. Interested parties must register with Madagascar's investigating authority (ANMCC) by 15 May 2026 and submit questionnaire responses by 29 May 2026.
“Where the replies to the questionnaire as well as any additional information requested from interested parties in the context of this investigation are not provided within the time limits set, decisions will be based on the best information available.”
Exporters of juice and non-alcoholic beverages to Madagascar with material market share should evaluate whether to participate in this investigation. The ANMCC will base its determination on best available information when parties do not respond — meaning non-participation by major suppliers could allow Madagascar's domestic industry claims to go unchallenged. Deadlines are tight: registration by 15 May 2026 and questionnaire responses by 29 May 2026.
What changed
Madagascar has notified the WTO that it initiated a safeguard investigation on 15 April 2026 into imports of certain unfermented fruit juices, nectars, and non-alcoholic fruit-flavoured beverages. The investigation will examine whether increased imports are causing or threatening serious injury to Madagascar's domestic juice industry, consistent with WTO Agreement on Safeguards provisions. Interested parties—including importers, exporters, and other affected stakeholders—have until 15 May 2026 to register with the investigating authority (ANMCC) and until 29 May 2026 to submit questionnaire responses and supporting evidence. Failure to provide requested information within these deadlines will result in decisions based on the best information available.
For exporters and producers in supplying countries, this investigation represents a potential trade barrier. If Madagascar imposes a safeguard measure, affected parties could face temporary import restrictions or elevated tariffs. Exporters with significant juice sales to Madagascar should consider submitting evidence demonstrating that increased imports do not cause or threaten serious injury to the domestic industry, particularly through any public hearing process the ANMCC may organise.
What to do next
- Interested parties must make themselves known to the ANMCC within 30 days from the date of initiation of the investigation, i.e. no later than 15 May 2026
- Any information or comments that interested parties would like to provide and the request for a questionnaire should be sent to the ANMCC no later than 15 May 2026
- Responses to the questionnaire as well as other relevant information that the parties wish to communicate should be sent to the ANMCC no later than 29 May 2026
Archived snapshot
Apr 21, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Madagascar launches safeguard investigation on certain juices, nectars and non-alcoholic beverages
On 17 April 2026, Madagascar notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 15 April 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain unfermented fruit juices and nectars, and non-alcoholic fruit-flavoured beverages.
More
In the notification, Madagascar indicated, among other things, as follows (provisional English translation):
" 4 - Provide a point of contact for the investigation and identify the preferred means for corresponding.
The point of contact would be available to respond to enquiries relating to the procedures applicable to the investigation.
Monsieur Le Directeur G?n?ral de l'ANMCC
Immeuble Maison des Produits, 67 Ha, Antananarivo 101 - Madagascar
e-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
website: www.anmcc.mg
5 - Provide the deadlines and procedures for importers, exporters and other interested parties to present evidence and their views, including: (i) deadlines and procedures for Members and exporters to identify themselves as interested parties, if so required, to participate in the investigation and (ii) the date of an intended public hearing as provided for in Article 3.1. [..]
Interested parties must make themselves known to the ANMCC, the investigating authority, within 30 days from the date of initiation of the investigation, i.e. no later than 15 May 2026. Any information or comments that interested parties would like to provide and the request for a questionnaire should be sent to the ANMCC no later than 15 May 2026.
Public hearings may be organised by the ANMCC, either at the request of interested parties or ex officio, to allow interested parties to present evidence and, in particular, to have the opportunity to respond to the submissions of other parties and to make known their views, and to defend their interests.
Responses to the questionnaire as well as other relevant information that the parties wish to communicate should be sent to the ANMCC no later than 29 May 2026.?
Where the replies to the questionnaire as well as any additional information requested from interested parties in the context of this investigation are not provided within the time limits set, decisions will be based on the best information available. The same applies to incorrect or incomplete information."
The notification is available in G/SG/N/6/MDG/18. (Currently available in French only.)
What is a safeguard investigation?
A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or is threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry.
During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to the presentations of other parties.
A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury.
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