Cameroon Warns EU Rules Could Hurt Cocoa Farmers

Cameroon has renewed its criticism of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Officials are warning that the environmental law could place an unfair financial burden on cocoa farmers. This could affect trade unless buyers and other players across the supply chain share the cost of compliance.

The concerns emerged during the opening of Cocoa Days in Yaoundé. There Cameroon’s Trade Minister, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, described some aspects of the regulation as a form of “punitive environmentalism.” Although the government supports efforts to protect forests, the minister argued that sustainability initiatives must also deliver fair economic returns for the farmers expected to implement them.

His comments come at a crucial time. The EUDR will not become fully applicable to large and medium-sized companies until 30 December 2026. However, businesses across the cocoa value chain have already begun preparing for compliance. As a result, producers in major cocoa-growing countries are facing growing demands for traceability. There are also demands for farm mapping, and proof that their crops are not linked to deforestation.

Falling Cocoa Prices Add to Farmers’ Worries

According to the minister, Cameroon’s cocoa farmers are struggling with declining prices. This is happening as the cost of meeting international sustainability standards continues to rise.

He noted that farmgate cocoa prices, which previously climbed to around CFA5,000 per kilogram during recent marketing seasons, have now fallen to between CFA1,800 and CFA2,000 per kilogram. Consequently, many farmers fear that current earnings will not cover production costs, labour expenses, and investments required to comply with the EU regulation.

“The feeling among producers is that they are constantly being asked to do more without receiving anything in return,” Mbarga Atangana said during the event.

He maintained that Cameroon remains committed to sustainable agriculture. However, he questioned whether the financial responsibility for achieving sustainability is being distributed fairly throughout the cocoa value chain.

His remarks echo concerns increasingly voiced across cocoa-producing nations, where governments continue to support environmental protection while seeking stronger financial commitments from international buyers.

EUDR Continues to Reshape Global Cocoa Trade

Although implementation has been postponed, the EUDR is already influencing how cocoa moves through global supply chains.

The regulation requires companies placing products on the European Union market, or exporting them from the EU, to prove that covered commodities were not produced on land deforested after 31 December 2020. Businesses must also demonstrate compliance with the laws of the producing country through detailed due diligence procedures. 

Recent guidance from the European Commission has continued to clarify reporting requirements as companies prepare for the new deadlines. The regulation now takes effect for large and medium-sized companies on 30 December 2026 and for micro and small enterprises on 30 June 2027. These extensions were introduced to give governments and businesses more time to strengthen compliance systems while maintaining the regulation’s environmental objectives.

Cocoa remains one of seven commodities covered under the regulation, alongside coffee, palm oil, soy, timber, rubber and cattle. Consequently, exporters, processors and international buyers are increasingly requesting detailed geolocation data for farms, proof of legal production, and documentation demonstrating full traceability throughout the supply chain.

For many Cameroonian farmers, maintaining access to the lucrative European market now depends on meeting these stricter documentation and sustainability requirements.

Government Calls for Fair Rewards

Despite its criticism, Cameroon has repeatedly stated that it does not oppose the environmental goals behind the EUDR. Instead, officials argue that sustainability should not come at the expense of farmers’ livelihoods.

“I have no intention of questioning the deforestation regulation, which serves the noble cause of protecting the environment. Our producers have complied with it, sometimes reluctantly,” Mbarga Atangana said.

He added that producers deserve fair compensation for the additional investments they must now make. According to the minister, sustainability should be accompanied by profitability, transparent markets and equitable pricing. Otherwise, smallholder farmers could shoulder most of the financial burden while larger companies further along the value chain continue to capture higher profits.

This debate has become increasingly prominent across Africa as governments seek a balance between environmental responsibility and economic development.

Compliance Costs Continue to Rise

Farmers say adapting to the new requirements involves much more than paperwork. The regulation encourages producers to increase productivity on existing farmland instead of expanding into forested areas. Therefore, many growers must invest in improved seedlings, fertilizers, crop protection products and better farm management practices.

Martin Kamdjeu, chairman of an agricultural cooperative and a cocoa farmer in Nkondjock, explained that the transition requires more intensive farming methods than many producers have traditionally used. “We are now expected to move from extensive farming to more intensive agriculture to avoid deforestation,” he said.

According to Kamdjeu, many smallholder farmers struggle to afford the additional agricultural inputs required to increase productivity while remaining compliant with international sustainability expectations. Labour costs have also increased significantly.

Hortense Nguele, regional president of the National Association of Cocoa and Coffee Producers, said higher cocoa prices during previous seasons encouraged many farm workers to establish their own plantations. Consequently, experienced labour has become more difficult to find.

She noted that hiring a farm worker now costs at least CFA40,000 compared with approximately CFA25,000 only a few years ago. As a result, producers face rising operating expenses even before accounting for new compliance requirements.

Debate Over Shared Responsibility Intensifies

Cameroon’s concerns reflect a wider debate taking place across global agricultural supply chains. Producer organisations argue that multinational cocoa buyers, processors and chocolate manufacturers benefit from stronger sustainability credentials while farmers bear most of the implementation costs.

Industry groups have therefore called for greater financial support, improved access to affordable credit, technical assistance and stronger partnerships that help farmers meet new requirements without reducing household incomes.

Meanwhile, the European Union maintains that the regulation is essential to reducing the impact of European consumption on global deforestation. EU officials have consistently argued that stronger due diligence requirements will encourage responsible sourcing while helping protect biodiversity, combat climate change and promote sustainable supply chains.

In recent months, several producing countries have accelerated national traceability programmes, digital farm mapping initiatives and geolocation systems to prepare exporters for compliance before the regulation becomes fully applicable.

Cameroon Seeks Balance Between Sustainability and Competitiveness

For Cameroon, the challenge extends beyond environmental compliance. The country must ensure that its cocoa industry remains competitive. This while protecting the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers who depend on cocoa production for household income.

Government officials believe achieving that balance will require stronger collaboration. Especially between producing countries, international buyers, financial institutions and development partners. Greater investment in farmer training, digital traceability systems and sustainable farming practices could help producers meet evolving market expectations without sacrificing profitability.

As implementation deadlines approach, the debate surrounding the EUDR is likely to intensify across Africa’s cocoa-producing nations. For Cameroon, the message remains consistent. Environmental protection is necessary. However, sustainability efforts will be more successful if the financial rewards are shared fairly across the entire cocoa value chain. 

As governments, exporters and multinational companies prepare for the regulation, many farmers hope future sustainability commitments will recognise not only the importance of protecting forests but also the economic realities faced by those who cultivate one of the world’s most valuable agricultural commodities.