Are you passionate about current affairs? Are you particularly interested in events happening around the world? If so, you have undoubtedly heard about the ban on all imports of cocoa from deforested areas, a new regulation which will come into force in a year. This measure aims to combat deforestation and promote sustainable cocoa production.
To take stock of this regulation and the efforts made by Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest cocoa producer, the head of the Ivorian Coffee and Cocoa Council, Yves Brahima Koné, went to Brussels this week. Accompanied by ministerial delegates and private industry operators, he met officials from the European Commission to promote the traceability system put in place by Côte d’Ivoire.
The new European regulations will prohibit all imports of cocoa from deforested areas from the end of 2020, with concrete application planned for the fall of 2024. The Ivory Coast’s objective during this meeting in Brussels was to be classified as a country at low risk of deforestation by the European Commission, in order to be able to continue exporting its cocoa to Europe.
To date, 70% of Ivorian cocoa can be traced, and the Café Cacao Council ensures that all cocoa will be traced by the end of 2024. Efforts undertaken since 2018 include the registration of planters and the installation of digital terminals in cooperatives. However, setting up this traceability system is complex and costly, which was highlighted during the discussions.
The European Union seems ready to support the industry in its transition to sustainable cocoa production. However, it remains to be seen whether cocoa importers in Europe will be reassured by the timetable proposed by Ivory Coast. This uncertainty may influence their decision to buy cocoa from November/December, in order to comply with the regulations as soon as they are implemented.
In conclusion, the new European regulations on the importation of cocoa from deforested areas impose significant challenges on Côte d’Ivoire, but the country seems determined to put in place an effective traceability system to continue exporting its cocoa to Europe. . However, the question of importer confidence remains unresolved, but the European Union’s commitment to supporting the industry towards sustainable production is a step in the right direction.