Announced as a major step forward in the fight against global deforestation, the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), initially scheduled to come into force at the end of 2024, has been postponed to December 2025. This delay raises questions about the state of the tropical commodity industry. In this article, Chocolats du Monde reviews the technical advances that enabled the implementation of the EUDR, analyzes its implications for the sector, and questions the ability of soft commodity industries to move towards truly sustainable practices.
What is the EUDR?
Adopted on May 31, 2023, and published in the Official Journal of the European Union on June 9, the EUDR aims to ensure that products consumed in Europe, such as cocoa, coffee, and soy, do not contribute to deforestation. It requires all exporters to prove the precise geographical origin of products using GPS coordinates of farms. The decision to require the communication of farm GPS coordinates was made possible by the emergence and democratization of two technologies:
1. Smartphones, making data collection accessible on a large scale, thanks to their integrated GPS instruments which, with the help of satellites, allow the collection of XY coordinates even off-grid, offering the possibility to identify where a farm is located anywhere in the world.
2. Satellite imagery: The availability of free-access satellite images has allowed a leap forward in monitoring tropical forest areas. For example, the European Space Agency provides images with sufficient resolution to detect changes in forest areas every two weeks (10m x 10m per pixel).
Thanks to these innovations, we can, for the first time, continuously monitor the evolution of farms worldwide, thereby protecting forests and ensuring better traceability of products on the European market.
High-resolution satellite photo from Google Earth with Ivorian polygons
Why this postponement to 2025?
While lauded for its ambition, the EUDR has raised concerns about the speed of its introduction and the lack of appropriate accompanying measures, especially in producing countries. Several reasons explain this postponement.
1. Lack of preparation among stakeholders: Producers, cooperatives, and exporters, particularly in developing countries, have faced complex and poorly explained requirements. Moreover, with very little support from exporters and traders, they have had to bear the vast majority of the burdens and costs associated with compliance. For example, mapping each plot, often located in remote areas, requires considerable human and financial resources. The result is that many small farms, particularly in the cocoa sector, have not been able to adapt in time.
2. Costs transferred to producers: Large importing companies have, in many cases, passed compliance costs onto small producers and cooperatives. The latter, with limited resources, encountered difficulties in collecting the requested data.
3. Resistance from economic actors: Some influential companies have expressed their opposition, arguing that the imposed deadlines did not allow for a harmonious transition, thus risking disruption to supply chains.
Photo of coordinate collection on a plot for polygon creation.
What this reveals about the cocoa industry
Cocoa, a staple product widely consumed in Europe, clearly illustrates the challenges posed by the EUDR.
1. An opaque market: The cocoa trade is known for its complexity and lack of transparency. Tracing the precise origin of beans is a significant challenge, particularly in countries where logistical infrastructure remains fragile.
2. The vulnerability of small producers: These producers represent a large part of the industry, but they are often left behind when faced with new requirements. Without technical and financial support, they risk being excluded from the European market.
3. An urgent need for sustainability: This postponement highlights the need for the industry to move towards more sustainable practices, such as agroforestry, which combines production and ecosystem conservation.
Photo of an Ivorian cocoa pod.
An opportunity to better support change
The postponement of the EUDR to December 2025 offers valuable time to strengthen support mechanisms for stakeholders in the sector. This could include:
• Financial aid to support data collection and the adoption of sustainable practices.
• Better awareness among producers about environmental issues and the long-term economic benefits of compliance.
• Promotion of innovative agricultural models such as agroforestry, which combines trees and crops to preserve biodiversity and soil.
Photo of a team of field agents in Ivory Coast.
A collective challenge for a more responsible industry
The EUDR marks an important step in the fight against deforestation, but it also highlights the challenges of transitioning to a sustainable model. If cocoa and other commodities do not adapt quickly, the consequences could be severe: exclusion from European markets and exacerbation of environmental damage.
This implementation delay should be seen as an opportunity to rethink agricultural and commercial practices. It is a chance for consumers, businesses, and producers to come together around a common goal: responsible consumption that preserves our planet.
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