European Union regulations on deforestation are causing chaos for coffee farmers in Ethiopia

African farmers who produce some of the world’s most respected coffee are scrambling to comply with the new European Union environmental regulations, which require that the origins of any shipping of beans be documented.

The new measures, which will come into effect at the end of this year, are designed to prevent deforestation driven by agriculture expansion. To comply, farmers need to provide geographical data to show that no coffee is being grown on land where forests have recently been cut down.

Producers are unable to lose access to the vast European markets since December 31st.

Europe consumes more coffee than any other country in the world, and experts say the new regulations, officially known as the EU deforestation regulations, are potentially powerful tools to promote sustainable agriculture and prevent deforestation.

But it also represents what we call the “green squeeze,” which places a heavy burden on millions of small farmers in developing countries that are least contributing to climate change, testing the ability of policymakers to balance people’s needs with natural needs.

“Of course, data is very important to us, but what we’re saying is that we need support,” said Degen Daddy, head of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Co-op. “It’s very challenging and expensive and there’s no help for us.”

Dadi said his group, Ethiopia’s largest cooperative of coffee growers, has more than half a million members based in the central part of the country and could not prepare all the farms by the deadline, possibly without additional support.

Trainers have been crossing the Oromia region for over a year, collecting map coordinates and assisting farmers with new technology. As of March, they were mapping 24,000 farms. European officials validate shipments by cross-checking current geographical allocation data against baseline satellite images and forest cover maps.

Daddy said the cost of mapping one farm is about $4.50. The cost of training is partially covered by grants from the International Trade Centre, a joint organisation of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, established to help poor countries expand their trade.

Ethiopia is the top coffee producer in Africa, with crops accounting for around 35% of the country’s revenue. The Arabica variety is smooth and gentle with fruity, nutty notes, and comes from the country’s southwest highlands. Over a third of Ethiopian coffee is sent to Europe.

Last year’s French government report says EU consumption is liable 44% of coffee-related deforestation all over the world. Another report by the Environmental Group, World Resources Research Institute, found that there was about 2 million hectares of forest cover Replaced with a coffee farm Between 2001 and 2025. Indonesia, Brazil and Peru recorded some of the highest deforestation rates in that period.

The global leader pledged in 2021 at Glasgow Climate Summit to end deforestation by 20303. The agreement highlighted a growing awareness of nature’s role in tackling the climate crisis. The intact forests are natural reservoirs of carbon that warm the planets, keeping them away from the atmosphere. As carbon dioxide, trapping the heat of the sun increases global warming. Once the forest is cleared, these areas will switch to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, by destroying habitats, it harms the biodiversity of forests and its diversity.

The new EU regulations also cover cattle, cocoa, palm oil, rubber and other crops. Shipment of coffee without proper mapping data can be denied or confiscated and can be fined on the importer.

However, some experts say the measure is being implemented without the necessary support for farmers.

Jodie Keane, an economist at ODI Global, a London-based research organization, said the European Union and major coffee chains should do more to help smallholder farmers.

“We all want to prevent deforestation,” Keene said. “But when applying that standard to rural producers, you need to provide a lot of outreach, sensitization. You need to invest in learning how to do things differently so that they don’t drop them out of the supply chain.”

This was reflected by Etelle Higonet, founder of the watch group Coffee Watch. “These are some of the richest companies in the world,” she said of the European coffee chain. “Of course they could afford to do this.”

In an email, Johannes Dengler, managing partner of Alois Dallmayr, one of Germany’s most well-known coffee brands, confirmed that the new rules are a “big challenge” for Ethiopia. He said Dallmayr is developing a system to ensure compliance and is “working closely with his partners to find viable solutions.”

The Director-General of the European Union’s Trade and Economic Security did not respond to a request for comment. in News Release on April 15th Based on feedback from partner countries, the bloc said it allocated 86 million euros, or about $97 million, to support compliance efforts.

Ethiopian coffee farmers take pride in their high quality beans, as a result of exceptional heirloom varieties, highlands and traditional agricultural practices.

In southwestern Zinma Highlands, farmers like Zinabu Abadura say most growers follow long-standing unwritten rules for cutting trees.

Abadura, who sells directly to informal intermediaries, said his farm has not yet been mapped. Most farmers in his area generate coffee revenue and cannot afford to pay any confusion or additional costs. “Life will be difficult,” he said, as new European rules will be implemented.

However, the new EU standards can sort Ethiopia’s coffee sector, but analysts say they probably won’t stop selling.

Countries like China offer alternative, less isolated markets. And Ethiopia itself is a big coffee drinker. Hospitality is incomplete without a coffee ceremony hosting roasts, grinds and brews in front of guests. About half of the country’s annual coffee production stays at home.

But Tsegaye Anebo, who heads the Sidama Coffee Union, which represents 70,000 farmers, said the pivot to the new market would be disruptive in the short term. He said that the species of ferns in his area are distinctive in its fruity tone and are a favorite in wealthy Europe. And that means premium prices.

Giving up the EU market is not an option, he said.

“We need the EU,” Anebo said. “But they need us too, because they can’t find our coffee anywhere.”

Munira Abdelmenan contributed the report.