The Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa has raised alarm over the potential exclusion of up to 40 percent of smallholder cocoa farmers from the European market due to stringent compliance requirements under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This warning was issued by the Global President of COCEFAAA, Adeola Adegoke, during the recent Africa Cocoa and Coffee Conference held in Lagos.

Adegoke emphasized that many smallholder farmers lack the necessary financial resources, technology, and documentation systems to meet the EUDR's traceability standards. "Up to 40 percent of African smallholder farmers could face exclusion from the European market if they are unable to comply with the requirements," he stated. The regulation is intended to ensure that commodities entering the EU are not linked to deforestation, but the costs and complexities of compliance could pose significant challenges for small-scale farmers.

The conference, which brought together over 200 delegates from various sectors, highlighted the urgent need for stronger African participation in shaping international trade policies that impact the continent's cocoa and coffee industries. Adegoke called for improved negotiation positions and enhanced traceability systems to protect farmers from disruptions in international trade.

In addition to compliance issues, the conference also addressed the emergence of cell-cultured cocoa technologies. Adegoke expressed concerns that increased investment in these alternative production methods could diminish demand for traditionally grown cocoa, further complicating the livelihoods of farmers reliant on conventional farming practices.

Participants at the conference adopted the Lagos Declaration 2026, a commitment to improve farmers' livelihoods and boost productivity across Africa's cocoa and coffee sectors. The declaration outlines key positions that African cocoa and coffee-producing countries will advocate for in upcoming negotiations, including reserving the terms "cocoa" and "coffee" for farmed products and advocating for mandatory labeling of cell-cultured products.

The Lagos Pact also proposes a one percent adaptation levy on revenues from cell-cultured products to support smallholder farmers through the Common Fund for Commodities. This initiative aims to ensure that Africa retains a greater share of the value generated from its cocoa and coffee production, despite the continent contributing significantly to global output—producing about 75 percent of the world’s cocoa and 12 percent of its coffee while capturing less than six percent of the value of chocolate.

Adegoke pointed out the disparity in earnings, noting that many cocoa farmers earn approximately $1.20 a day. The Lagos Declaration commits participants to coordinated action in eight key areas, including farmers' welfare, productivity, sustainability, and value addition.

The conference underscored the need for greater investment in local processing and the development of stronger African brands, as well as expanded market access under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These commitments are designed to fortify Africa's position in the global cocoa and coffee value chains, ensuring that a larger share of the generated value remains within the continent, ultimately benefiting the farmers who contribute to this vital industry.