The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), in force since June 2023, prohibits placing coffee and other commodities on the EU market unless they are deforestation-free, legally produced, and supported by due diligence and traceability information. Its main obligations will apply from December 2026, with extended timelines for small operators. In Lao PDR, coffee is a key export crop with strong socioeconomic importance, supporting nearly 100,000 livelihoods and generating significant rural income. While the EU accounts for a smaller share of direct exports, it remains strategically important due to premium markets and indirect trade flows via regional partners such as Vietnam and Thailand. As a result, EUDR compliance depends not only on EU operators but also on the availability and quality of supply chain and origin-level data from producing countries.
Region:
Luwero, Nakaseke, Kassanda, Mubende, Bukomansimbi, Kyotera, Omoro, and Nwoya
Target group:
Smallholder farmers, traders, state and non state actors, and processors
Key activities:
- Capacity building of smallholder coffee farmers in production practices and sustainable land use management.
- Establishing traceability system and facilitating access to sustainable financing
- Facilitate inclusive business partnerships between producer organizations and supply chain actors
- Promote multi-stakeholder cooperation
Commodities:
