Cameroon’s Cocoa Industry Faces Stricter EU Regulations to Combat Deforestation

Starting December 31, 2025, Cameroonian cocoa must comply with a series of stringent legal requirements to access the European market, the primary destination for the country’s cocoa beans. Stakeholders in the cocoa sector will need to adhere to seven key mandates outlined in the European Union’s (EU) Deforestation Regulation. These requirements include respecting land-use rights, environmental protection, third-party rights, labor rights, internationally recognized human rights, the principle of free consent regarding indigenous peoples’ rights, and compliance with tax, anti-corruption, trade, and customs regulations.

According to Ghislain Fomou, a forest technical expert at the European Forest Institute, the new EU regulation primarily aims to combat deforestation linked to cocoa cultivation. The EU believes that consumption within its member states contributes significantly to global deforestation and seeks to mitigate this impact by regulating the import of products like cocoa. “The goal is to establish rules that allow only deforestation-free products to enter their market. This is part of a broader effort to fight deforestation and climate change,” Fomou explained.

The EU’s Sustainable Cocoa Program emphasizes that cocoa farming in Cameroon, which predominantly occurs in forest ecosystems, must prioritize the preservation of animal and plant species. “Riparian zones are particularly fragile ecosystems where cocoa is often cultivated, posing high risks of environmental degradation. Additionally, protected wildlife species may inhabit farming areas, and illegal hunting practices can occur near natural forests and protected areas,” the EU noted in a recent study.

An EU study also revealed that the majority of cocoa farms in Cameroon average less than four hectares in size, exempting them from the requirement to conduct environmental impact assessments. Such assessments are mandatory only for projects exceeding 100 hectares. However, the EU found that very few farms surpass this threshold and comply with the regulation.

In practice, Ghislain Fomou explained that these new requirements will “transform how cocoa farmers operate.” “There will be significant changes in land expansion practices. Farmers will no longer be able to expand their plots into forested areas. This is the first major requirement,” he emphasized.

The EU’s move underscores its commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of its imports while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. For Cameroon, a country heavily reliant on cocoa exports, adapting to these regulations will require substantial adjustments in farming methods and land management to maintain access to its most critical market.