As the deadline for compliance with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulations (EUDR) rapidly approaches, Uganda finds itself in a race against time to meet the stringent requirements set by the EU.
Dr. Kyalo of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has voiced concerns about the slow progress toward compliance, warning that Uganda’s failure to align with these regulations could have serious consequences for its coffee industry.
The EUDR mandates that imports of over 600 commodities, including coffee, must be produced without violating laws related to environmental protection, child labour, or land rights.
For Uganda, the stakes are particularly high. Coffee is the country’s largest export commodity, and the European Union is its biggest market, accounting for more than half of its coffee exports.
The pressure to comply with the EUDR is mounting as Uganda risks losing access to this critical market if it does not demonstrate that its coffee production is free from deforestation and other unethical practices.
As the deadline looms, Uganda must act swiftly to safeguard its coffee industry and ensure that its exports meet the rigorous standards demanded by the EU.
“Coffee is really important to Uganda’s economy and provides jobs for many people at different stages of its production.
That’s why we need to follow international rules to protect this key part of our economy,” said Jane Nalunga, the Executive Director of SEATINI Uganda.
While December 31, 2024 is the deadline, Uganda is under pressure to comply with the European Union’s new Deforestation Regulations (EUDR), which require proof that coffee exports are not contributing to deforestation or violating environmental and labour laws.
Given the tight timeline and significant costs of meeting these standards, the challenge is immense.
However, as Jane Nalunga, Executive Director of SEATINI Uganda, pointed out, Uganda and other African nations cannot afford to ignore these regulations.
“The EU directives may pose challenges, but they also offer Uganda a chance to innovate and strengthen our coffee industry,” Nalunga said.
“By embracing value addition and diversifying our strategies, we can transform these challenges into pathways for economic resilience.”
These concerns were echoed during an engagement organised by SEATINI under the theme “Securing the Future of Africa’s Coffee Trade.
“The engagement aimed to press for a faster pace toward compliance with the EU regulations to avoid potential shocks to Uganda’s coffee exports.
Dr. Gerald Kyalo, Director of Development Services at the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), acknowledged the importance of preparing for the EUDR deadline.
He emphasised that, while coffee is not a major contributor to environmental degradation in Uganda, compliance with the EUDR is still essential due to the significance of the EU market, which accounts for 60-70 percent of Uganda’s coffee exports.
“It is essential to understand that coffee is not a driver of deforestation in Uganda; data shows that non-compliant plots are minimal,” Kyalo said.
“But compliance with the EUDR is necessary to prevent potential economic setbacks and safeguard farmers’ livelihoods.”
Kyalo expressed disappointment that the EU rejected Uganda’s proposed short-term solutions and is now demanding more rigorous traceability measures, including mapping GPS coordinates for coffee farms larger than 10 acres.
He noted that the Coffee Act of 2021 mandates the creation of a National Coffee Register, which will include these GPS coordinates and other data crucial for meeting EUDR requirements and ensuring traceability.
As the compliance deadline nears, Jonathan Lubega, Program Associate for Agricultural Trade for Rural Transformation, stressed the urgency of the situation.
“With only a few months remaining, it is imperative to ensure that EU regulations are implemented and thoroughly addressed,” he said. Lubega called on both the UCDA and the Ministry.
END
English 