EU rules threaten 40% of African cocoa farmers
Up to 40 per cent of Africa’s smallholder cocoa farmers could lose access to the European Union market because they may be unable to meet its deforestation compliance requirements, the Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) has warned.
The organisation’s global president, Adeola Adegoke, said many farmers lacked the financial resources, technology and documentation systems needed to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), raising concerns about their livelihoods and the future of Africa’s cocoa and coffee industries.
…COCEFAAA warns smallholders risk losing access to European markets over deforestation compliance costs
Up to 40 per cent of Africa’s smallholder cocoa farmers could lose access to the European Union market because they may be unable to meet its deforestation compliance requirements, the Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) has warned.
The organisation’s global president, Adeola Adegoke, said many farmers lacked the financial resources, technology and documentation systems needed to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), raising concerns about their livelihoods and the future of Africa’s cocoa and coffee industries.
Adegoke spoke 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 and protecting the interests of farmers.
“Up to 40 per cent of African smallholder farmers could face exclusion from the European market if they are unable to comply with the requirements,” he said.
The regulation is designed to prevent certain commodities entering the EU market from being linked to deforestation. However, compliance requirements, including traceability and the provision of information about the land where commodities are produced, could impose high costs on small-scale farmers.
Adegoke called on African cocoa-producing countries to strengthen their negotiating positions and invest in traceability systems to prevent farmers from losing access to important export markets.
He also urged governments and development partners to provide farmers with the technical and financial assistance needed to meet international standards without jeopardising their livelihoods.
Farmers face new competition
The conference also examined the potential impact of cell-cultured cocoa technologies on traditional cocoa-producing communities.
Adegoke warned that growing investment in alternative cocoa production methods could affect demand for conventionally grown cocoa, creating further uncertainty for farmers whose livelihoods depend on the crop.
He urged African governments to assess the economic and social implications of these technologies and develop policies to protect traditional producers.
“Africa is not short of solutions. We are short of mechanisms to scale them,” he said, calling for stronger cooperation among cocoa- and coffee-producing countries to improve productivity and increase the continent’s influence over global trade standards.
Participants adopted the Lagos Declaration 2026, a framework for coordinated action to improve farmers’ livelihoods, boost productivity and expand African ownership of the cocoa and coffee industries.
More than 200 delegates attended the conference, representing producing countries, governments, research institutions, development partners, commodity associations, private businesses, multilateral organisations and the media.
Africa seeks greater share of cocoa wealth
The conference highlighted the disparity between Africa’s contribution to global cocoa and coffee production and its share of the value generated by the commodities.
According to figures presented by Adegoke, Africa produces about 75 per cent of the world’s cocoa and 12 per cent of its coffee but captures less than six per cent of the value of chocolate. He also said many farmers earn approximately $1.20 a day.
The Lagos Declaration commits participants to coordinated action in eight areas: planning and coordination; unity and governance; farmers’ welfare; productivity; sustainability; traceability and product identity; value addition and finance; and people’s welfare.
Under the declaration, participants pledged to develop strategic plans with clear responsibilities, timelines and measurable targets. They also committed to strengthening farmers’ cooperatives, improving incomes, investing in research and extension services, protecting forests and promoting climate resilience.
The declaration further calls for greater investment in local processing, stronger African brands and improved access to markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Pact targets alternative cocoa products
The conference also produced the Lagos Pact, which outlines three proposals for African countries to advance at continental and international negotiations.
These include reserving the terms “cocoa” and “coffee” for farmed products, advocating mandatory labelling of cell-cultured products through the Codex Alimentarius, and proposing a one per cent adaptation levy on revenues from cell-cultured products to support African smallholder farmers through the Common Fund for Commodities.
The pact is expected to serve as Africa’s common position at the African Union Summit scheduled for February 2027.
The conference organisers said the commitments were intended to strengthen Africa’s position in global cocoa and coffee value chains, protect farmers’ livelihoods and ensure that a greater share of the wealth generated by the commodities remains on the continent.
