The European Union Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), also known as the “zero deforestation” standard, approved in April 2023, poses a significant challenge for Peruvian coffee and cocoa producers. This legal framework, aimed at combating global deforestation, requires that exports to the EU come from non-deforested lands after December 31, 2020. Additionally, it demands a due diligence declaration supported by geolocation data of the cultivation plots.
According to estimates, Peruvian coffee and cocoa farmers, who export 50% of their coffee and a considerable proportion of their cocoa to Europe, fear that these requirements will complicate their access to these key markets, especially countries like Switzerland and Germany.
The regulation states that 100% of the cultivation plots must be identified and georeferenced, which involves a process requiring specialized equipment and trained professionals. In this regard, Anaximandro Rojas, president of the Peruvian Association of Cocoa Producers (APPCACAO), pointed out that while some regions have made progress in this regard, many small producers lack the resources and information necessary to achieve this goal.
However, limited resources and information are not the only factors at play in this issue, but also the costs associated with implementing traceability and georeferencing, which are unsustainable for many small producers. In fact, APPCACAO stated that the regulation could negatively impact the industry, which exported $129 million to the EU in 2023.
### Economic and Logistical Impact of the “Zero Deforestation” Regulation
Cocoa and coffee represent a significant part of Peruvian exports to Europe. However, economic challenges, such as a lack of financing for technology and training, hinder the adaptation to these new standards.
While producers recognize the importance of complying with the EUDR to ensure sustainability, they believe it is crucial for Peruvian authorities and European buyers to provide financial and technical support. The regulation’s implementation, scheduled for 2025 after a postponement approved by the European Council, poses a tight deadline to address these limitations.
In this context, collaboration between the government, producer associations, and international actors will be key to prevent the regulation from hindering Peruvian foreign trade, while working towards environmental sustainability and achieving the goal of “zero deforestation.”
### What are the risks of deforestation?
Deforestation is the massive cutting down of trees and the destruction of forests, which has negative consequences for the environment and human health.
Among the risks of deforestation are:
– **Climate Change:** Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, so their felling releases this gas into the atmosphere.
– **Loss of Biodiversity:** Forests are home to many plant and animal species, so their destruction endangers their survival.
– **Soil Erosion:** Trees and natural vegetation help maintain soil in place, so their absence increases erosion.
– **Floods:** Forests regulate the water cycle, so deforestation increases the risk of floods.
– **Spread of Diseases:** Deforestation can favor the spread of infectious diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue, malaria, Zika, and chikungunya.
– **Food Insecurity:** Forests provide food for a significant portion of the world’s population.
– **Desertification:** Eroded and nutrient-poor soil becomes less fertile and can turn into unproductive land.
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