The group’s global president, Adeola Adegoke, said up to 40 per cent of African smallholder cocoa farmers could be excluded from the European market if they are unable to meet the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Adegoke raised the concern at the end of the two-day Africa Cocoa and Coffee Conference in Lagos, where stakeholders called for stronger African participation in shaping international trade policies affecting the commodities.
The regulation requires relevant products to be traceable to their production areas and supported by evidence that they comply with deforestation-related requirements. Farmers with limited access to technology, finance and farm-mapping systems may struggle to provide the necessary documentation.
Adegoke urged African cocoa-producing countries to strengthen traceability systems and ensure smallholders receive adequate technical and financial assistance to maintain access to important export markets.
The conference also examined the potential impact of cell-cultured cocoa technologies on traditional farming communities. Participants called for coordinated African action to protect farmers’ livelihoods and increase the continent’s share of value generated by cocoa and coffee.
Delegates adopted the Lagos Declaration 2026, outlining commitments on farmer welfare, productivity, sustainability, traceability, finance and local value addition.
The group’s warning highlights the challenge of balancing environmental protection with the need to safeguard smallholder incomes and Africa’s agricultural export earnings.
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Up to 40 per cent of African smallholder cocoa farmers could lose access to the European Union market if they cannot meet new deforestation-related traceability requirements, the Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa has warned. The group is calling for stronger technical and financial support for farmers. African cocoa farmers face the risk of losing access to the...
Key takeaways
- Up to 40 per cent of African smallholder cocoa farmers could lose access to the European Union market if they cannot meet new deforestation-related traceability requirements, the Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa has warned.
- The group is calling for stronger technical and financial support for farmers.
- African cocoa farmers face the risk of losing access to the European Union market as new deforestation rules raise concerns about compliance costs and traceability, the Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa has warned.The group’s global president, Adeola Adegoke, said up to 40 per cent of African smallholder cocoa farmers could be excluded from the European market if they are unable to meet the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).Adegoke raised the concern at the end of the two-day Africa Cocoa and Coffee Conference in Lagos, where stakeholders called for stronger African participation in shaping international trade policies affecting the commodities.The regulation requires relevant products to be traceable to their production areas and supported by evidence that they comply with deforestation-related requirements.
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Up to 40 per cent of African smallholder cocoa farmers could lose access to the European Union market if they cannot meet new deforestation-related traceability requirements, the Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa has warned. The group is calling for stronger technical and financial support for farmers. African cocoa farmers face the risk of losing access to the...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 14, 2026
