This warning was raised by COCEFAAA’s Global President, Adeola Adegoke, at the Africa Cocoa and Coffee Conference in Lagos, where stakeholders emphasized the need for enhanced African participation in international trade policy.

Adegoke expressed that many smallholder farmers face significant barriers—such as inadequate financial resources, technology, and documentation systems—to meet the traceability standards mandated by EUDR, which aims to ensure that commodities linked to deforestation do not enter the European market. Emphasizing protection for farmers, he urged African cocoa-producing nations to strengthen their negotiating positions and improve traceability systems.

The conference also touched upon the rise of cell-cultured cocoa technologies, raising concerns about their potential to disrupt traditional cocoa production and the livelihoods dependent on it. Adegoke called for African nations to consider the socio-economic impacts of these new technologies while formulating strategies to safeguard traditional farmers.

Participants adopted the Lagos Declaration 2026, which outlines commitments to improve farmer livelihoods, boost productivity, and expand African ownership in the cocoa and coffee sectors. Notably, it proposes exclusive terms for “cocoa” and “coffee” to farmed products and advocates for a one percent adaptation levy on revenues from cell-cultured goods to support smallholder farmers through the Common Fund for Commodities.

Despite producing around 75% of the world’s cocoa and 12% of its coffee, Africa receives less than 6% of the chocolate value, with many farmers earning roughly $1.20 a day. The Lagos Declaration commits to coordinated actions in key areas such as farmers’ welfare, productivity, sustainability, and value addition, with goals set to enhance farmers’ incomes and strengthen local processing and brands. This initiative aims to protect farmers’ livelihoods, ensuring a larger share of generated value remains within Africa.