An industry group warns that up to 40% of Africa’s smallholder cocoa farmers could be excluded from the European Union market under new deforestation and compliance rules. The group says some farmers and exporters may be unable to meet the EU’s requirements on environmental performance and product traceability.
The reports point to the EU’s upcoming enforcement of its Deforestation Regulation, which is designed to prevent commodities linked to recent deforestation from being sold in the bloc. Outlets describe the impact as potentially significant for export earnings and for the livelihoods of small-scale producers who rely on EU buyers.
While the coverage focuses on cocoa farmers, one outlet also references related pressure on coffee producers, reflecting broader concern that the same compliance standards could affect multiple commodity supply chains. The central message across sources is that gaps in readiness for traceability and deforestation-related documentation could limit market access for a large share of smallholders as enforcement approaches.
