Nigeria’s cocoa industry faces a critical turning point as stakeholders rally to safeguard $20 billion in exports threatened by the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
With full enforcement set for December 30, 2024, the EUDR mandates that products sold in the EU be sustainably sourced, banning those linked to deforestation, forest degradation, or biodiversity loss. The regulation specifically targets high-risk products, including cocoa, palm oil, soy, coffee, cattle, timber, and rubber.
The EU’s role as the primary market for Nigeria’s cocoa, accounting for 67 percent of its exports, underscores the urgency of compliance.
Speaking at a key meeting in Abuja, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the EU’s commitment to climate protection through the EUDR. “In cocoa farming, virgin land is often cleared, increasing deforestation.
The EU is here to support local farmers with improved agro-ecological techniques that preserve the environment and increase productivity,” he noted.
The Abuja workshop also introduced the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), a broad regulation requiring companies to assess and mitigate environmental and social risks throughout their supply chains. De Luca explained that the directive, “from water to child labor,” demands companies adhere to both national and international standards.
Representing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Deputy Director of Cocoa, Ajayi Olutobaba, welcomed the EU’s partnership in fostering sustainable cocoa practices.
He noted the government’s dedication to ensuring Nigeria meets EUDR standards, reinforcing the commitment to strengthen trade partnerships.
The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) warned that Nigeria’s cocoa exports could face severe repercussions if swift action is not taken to align with the EUDR. CFAN assured the EU that steps are underway to implement best practices across the sector.
However, Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, stressed the importance of Nigeria’s place in global trade.
At the inauguration of the Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment, he highlighted the historical role of trade in Nigeria’s development. “This country must not fail in trade,”
Adebayo said, calling for a shift toward self-sufficiency and the production of exportable goods, urging Nigeria to adapt to the evolving demands of global markets.
As the EUDR countdown continues, Nigeria’s cocoa industry stands at a decisive juncture, with stakeholders united in efforts to safeguard its future in international trade