The window for selling coffee and cocoa to the EU remains open, but from 2025 onwards, it will require a higher standard: geolocated traceability, zero deforestation, and documented due diligence under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). If you export from Latin America, this could be your biggest commercial differentiator of the decade.

Why this issue matters today

• The EU is one of the world's largest buyers of coffee: it imported around 2.9 million tons in 2023, with Brazil, Vietnam, and Honduras among the main origins [Eurostat, Comext].
• The EU is critically dependent on imports for cocoa: European processing accounts for most of the global bean, with the Netherlands as the main hub; Ecuador established itself as the leading supplier outside Africa in 2023 [UN Comtrade; Eurostat].
• The supply shock pushed cocoa prices to record highs in 2024 (ICE futures exceeded USD 10,000/t in April 2024) and the global deficit continued in 2024/25, according to ICCO. This has driven the search for alternative and traceable origins in LATAM [ICCO; ICE].
• In coffee, average prices remained high in 2024–2025, with robusta under pressure from supply and weather, according to monthly reports from the ICO [ICO].

What the EUDR requires in 2025 (executive summary)

• Scope: coffee and cocoa (and derivatives), among other commodities.
• Prohibition: products linked to deforestation or forest degradation occurring after December 31, 2020, cannot be placed on the EU market or exported from the EU, and must comply with the laws of the country of production [Regulation (EU) 2023/1115].
• Geospatial traceability: geolocation coordinates of all plots of origin (polygons if the plot is >4 ha), linked to each batch/product supplied.
• Due diligence and risk assessment: documented analysis concluding "negligible risk"; if not, apply mitigation (audits, sampling, additional information).
• Due diligence declaration: before placing the product on the EU market or exporting it from the EU, submit the declaration with batch identifiers and geolocation.
• Current schedule: large operators from December 30, 2024; micro and small enterprises from June 30, 2025. To date (October 2025), all actors are required to comply [Regulation (EU) 2023/1115; European Commission].
• Penalties: fines proportionate to the damage, with a minimum threshold of 4% of the company's annual turnover in the EU, confiscations, and possible public exclusions [Regulation (EU) 2023/1115].

Key market data for the 2025 strategy

• Coffee in the EU: ~2.9 million tons imported in 2023; Brazil and Vietnam account for more than 50% of the volume; Honduras and Colombia stand out among Latin American countries [Eurostat, Comext].
• Cocoa 2024/25: ICCO reports deficit for second consecutive cycle; compliance and quality premiums have increased in contracts with alternative origins (LATAM), especially for fine flavor cocoa [ICCO; FAOSTAT].
• Trade window: European buyers are prioritizing origins with traceability ready for EUDR audits. Producers and exporters who already map polygons and connect lots to parcels are securing replenishment contracts and programs for 12–24 months.

How to align your operation (90-day plan)

• Map origin:
  • Levanta geolocalización punto a punto y polígonos de todas las parcelas proveedoras (>4 ha) con precisión GPS <10 m.
  • Document land tenure/use and local legal compliance by producer.
• Model your batch flow:
  • Define EUDR batches with physical segregation or robust mass balance control (depending on product/customer).
  • Label each batch with a unique ID and link it to the source parcels.
• Documentation and data:
  • Collect planting/land use dates to verify "no deforestation since December 31, 2020."
  • Integrate evidence (satellite images, cadastral certificates, community records).
• Traceability system:
  • Implement a digital system that exports the minimum set of EUDR data (including coordinates) and the declaration ID.
  • Interoperability testing with importer/customer systems.
• Risk assessment:
  • Apply a documented methodology: country/area risk, forest cover analysis, supplier history, field audits.
  • Define thresholds and use mitigation when the risk is not negligible (sampling, third-party verification).
• Declaration process:
  • Establishes who, when, and with what data will issue the EUDR declaration per shipment/consignment.
  • Test with a pilot shipment and correct any gaps.
• Trade agreements:
  • Update contracts and POs with EUDR clauses (data deliverables, audit rights, responsibilities).
  • Negotiate compliance bonuses and data delivery deadlines.
• Training and control:
  • Train collectors, technicians, and producers in data capture and mixture control.
  • Define KPIs: percentage of farms mapped, time taken to prepare declarations, non-compliance.

Costs and efficiency

• In its impact assessment, the European Commission estimated significant but manageable administrative due diligence costs at the operator level, varying according to the complexity of the chain and the required granularity [EC, SWD(2021) 326]. Exporters that standardize polygon capture, automate satellite verification, and centralize documentation reduce consignment costs and preparation times.
• Good field practices (batch mapping, traceable supply contracts, high-risk audits) tend to pay for themselves via:
  • Lower risk of rejections and penalties.
  • Preferential access to EU purchasing programs.
  • Potential premiums for traceability/zero deforestation in fine cocoa and differentiated coffees.

Specific opportunities for LATAM in 2025

• Cocoa Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru: With the African deficit, European buyers are looking to diversify; EUDR-ready lots are securing advanced contracts with positive differentials [ICCO; UN Comtrade].
• Coffee from Mesoamerica and the Andes: medium-sized roasters in the EU prioritize origins with complete geospatial documentation; responsible origin programs are growing in Central America and Colombia [ICO; Eurostat].
• Green financing: European banks and traders offer pre-financing lines