(Ecofin Agency) - Cocoa is one of Cameroon’s main agricultural exports to Europe. With the European Union’s new deforestation law approaching, those involved in the cocoa sector are taking steps to adapt.

Cameroon’s Ministry of Commerce announced the signing on August 28 of an agreement to share geolocation data for cocoa and coffee farms. The deal was signed by the Cameroon Cocoa and Coffee Interprofessional Council (CICC) and involves six key players in the cocoa industry, including the Cocoa and Coffee Subsector Development Fund (FODECC) and traders like Telcar Cocoa, Ofi Cam, Neo Industry, Atlantic Cocoa Corporation, and Sic-Cacaos.

As part of this partnership, these companies have agreed to voluntarily share their geolocation data. This data will be used to create a "Shared Platform," which will serve as a centralized database providing a "precise and dynamic map of the sector."

The Ministry of Commerce stated that this initiative is aimed at helping Cameroon’s cocoa production meet the requirements of the EU’s new deforestation regulation (EUDR).

The EUDR, set to take effect between late December 2024 and early 2025, will ban the import of products linked to deforestation, such as cocoa, coffee, and palm oil, into EU countries.

“The Shared Platform will be managed by the CICC. The goal is to maintain European market access for small local exporters. Better traceability is expected to boost buyers’ confidence and could potentially lead to higher prices,” the statement read.

Let’s note that, about 78% of Cameroon’s cocoa exports go to Europe. Data from the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC) shows that the Central African country exported 185,613 tons of beans in the 2023-24 season.