Reaction of Ivorian NGOs to Mondelez’s Response on the Implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

Read the letter in French, here.

To the attention of Mondelez,

We read with as much attention as surprise your response to the letter sent by a coalition of national and international NGOs regarding the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). You are requesting a 12-month delay, arguing that Côte d’Ivoire is not ready due to the lack of farmer identification, plantation mapping, administrative inefficiency, and even raising the possibility of worsening producer poverty, before calling for more pragmatism.

We, the undersigned Ivorian NGOs, are convinced that implementing the EUDR offers a unique opportunity to move toward a more transparent, fair, and sustainable cocoa sector. We invite you to join us in addressing the remaining challenges and wish to clarify the following points:

1. On the requested delay: A postponement would only worsen problems that are already at their peak. Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s leading cocoa producer, has lost over 80% of its forests. Ghana, the second producer, is not far from this critical situation. Delaying the enforcement of the EUDR would only prolong environmental and social harm.

1. On farmer ID cards: ID cards are not a magic solution to traceability. Efforts must focus on concrete actions to support implementation of the regulation, not on pretexts to delay it. The expertise and political will exist—both in producing and consuming countries—to support this transition.

1. On mapping and infrastructure: The enforcement of the EUDR will provide the necessary momentum to finalize processes that have been delayed for far too long. Plantation mapping and farmer identification have been announced as completed for several years. It is time to publish and use this data, not to postpone it again.

1. On administrative shortcomings: Administrative weaknesses should not be used as an excuse to delay the application of the EUDR. On the contrary, this regulation is an opportunity for governments to strengthen their systems and ensure that harvests are marketed in compliance with international standards.

1. On competitiveness and economic risks: The issues raised are not caused by the EUDR but by the absence of precise regulation. This regulation is a historic opportunity to set the cocoa sector on the right track. Any delay would harm the majority of stakeholders, including farmers themselves.

1. On the pragmatism invoked: True pragmatism is implementing a regulation that has long been discussed with all stakeholders. Many producers, nearly all civil society actors, and experts are ready to contribute to the success of the EUDR actively. We propose to establish a framework for dialogue as soon as possible to support its effective implementation—not its postponement.

The governments of producing countries have reaffirmed their commitment to improving farmers’ living conditions and preserving the remaining forests, as emphasized during the second African Climate Summit. We call on Mondelez to join this collective effort by adopting an ethical leadership stance and investing in the necessary infrastructure.

Done in Abidjan, September 11, 2025