Brussels/Antwerp, September 15–19, 2025
When Heloïse Dubois from the Directorate-General for International Partnerships at the EU Commission opened the Eurotrip with a reflection that “the EU above all is a peace project that needs to be cherished and valued”, she also pointed to the EU’s responsibility to extend this spirit of cooperation to today’s global challenges. Her words set the tone for an intensive week of dialogue, learning, and exchange between African and European partners. For five days, representatives from 12 African countries immersed themselves in the realities of the European Union’s Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), seeking to clarify open questions, better understand official procedures, and strengthen international partnerships.
Organised by the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Deforestation-Free Value Chains, the Eurotrip – EUDR in Practice included representatives from African national coffee and cocoa authorities, ministries, and cooperatives—leaders whose work will shape how African producers adapt to and benefit from the EUDR.
Setting the Stage: Understanding the European Union and the EUDR
The first day combined context with clarity. Dubois outlined the EU as a project of cooperation and stability, while her colleague Simon Gmeiner explained the regulation’s goals: halting emissions, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring responsible sourcing. During the following question and answer session, some delegates could clarify initial questions, such as: What constitutes a forest, and why are commodities such as cocoa and rubber regulated by the EUDR? The day ended with a visit to the European Parlamentarium where the delegates deepened their understanding of the institutions, decision-making processes, and historical development of the EU.
"The visit to the European Parlamentarium helped us understand the very meaning behind the establishment of the EUDR. It convinced all of us that we share the same goal: to produce, consume, and preserve our natural resources."
Trade at Europe's Gate: The Port of Antwerp-Bruges
The following day, theory met practice at Belgium’s largest port. Delegates toured the docks and the Molenbergnatie warehouse at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, a logistics giant handling over 278 million tonnes of cargo annually. Seeing first-hand how coffee and cocoa are received, stored, and monitored for EU regulation´s compliance gave the African partners a tangible sense of how due diligence and traceability are enforced at Europe’s entry points.
This visit to Antwerp has helped me connect what we are doing on the ground — collecting information — and ensuring that our farmers and coffee comply with the regulation so that due diligence for importation is complete."
Multistakeholder Dialogues: Voices from Africa
The heart of the week was the two-day multistakeholder dialogue with various representatives from the public, private, and civil society sector.
The delegates presented country posters that illustrated various national realities. Ethiopia pointed out that there is more afforestation than deforestation occurring in the country. Tanzania highlighted that compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is already leading to higher coffee prices due to increased competition for compliant coffee. Ghana reported its success in distinguishing between compliant and non-compliant commodities. Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire emphasised the government’s role in supporting farmers to maintain coffee production, thereby preventing them from switching to other agricultural commodities.
Breakout sessions delved into legality, smallholder inclusion, and traceability. Experts from Preferred by Nature, Fern, FAO, and DIASCA guided technical discussions that revealed both opportunities and challenges. While EU operators carry the legal obligations, African producers face commercial and technical hurdles to adapt.
Market and Enforcement Perspectives
The private sector echoed a strong commitment to partnership. Ylenia Maitino from Ferrero emphasized that the EUDR is “strengthening the need for collaboration.”
Competent authorities from Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands offered a candid look at enforcement details. Early dry runs showed compliance was feasible, yet traceability gaps and lack of documentation, especially along the chain of custody, remain a critical weakness.
I learned that due diligence is not the same as certification — being certified does not mean you are 100% EUDR compliant. We gained a lot of clarity on this.”
The participants also engaged in a follow-up open discussion with representatives from the Directorate-General for the Environment of the EU Commission. This panel allowed them to share their perspectives and seek clarifications, particularly about how the unique circumstances of each country are taken into account in the EU’s approach.
Toward a Common Roadmap
The Multistakeholder Dialog concluded with a collective reflection on the African perspective. The African Delegates called for inclusive implementation frameworks that recognize smallholder realities, financial and technical support for data systems, and transparency in how risk classifications are determined. Proposals included forming a continental EUDR Task Force, developing national readiness roadmaps, and strengthening South–South collaboration to share lessons across the continent.
One of my biggest takeaways is that although it takes a lot of effort, it is possible. Seeing examples from other countries that are a few steps ahead of us shows me that it can be done.”
A Shared Path Forward
The African Eurotrip confirmed what the Latin American trip before had already shown: the EUDR is not just a regulation, but a catalyst for global dialogue on sustainable trade. For African partners, the week in Brussels and Antwerp deepened understanding, built trust, and laid the foundation for a more inclusive and effective implementation.
