Ghana and the Challenges of Implementing the EUDR
Greetings! My name is Mark, and I just finished my master’s in supply chain management at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Fortunately, Daarnhouwer gave me the opportunity to conduct fascinating on-the-ground research on a passionate topic of mine. Last may I travelled to Ghana to write my thesis on the implementation of the incoming European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
What is the EUDR?
For in-depth knowledge, I highly recommend reading our Knowledge Center entry on the EUDR and the EU’s official website on the topic. In short, the EUDR prohibits cocoa or products containing cocoa that have been produced on land deforested after 2021 from entering the European market. Additionally, it requires companies to perform thorough due diligence on their cocoa sourcing in the form of risk assessments and mitigation measures. Simply put, if you cannot prove that your cocoa did not come from deforested land, it cannot enter the EU!
Why Ghana?
Although this regulation covers the entire globe and additional commodities, the cocoa industry and Ghana present a fascinating case for a variety of reasons. To start, smallholder farmers in Ghana form the backbone of this industry, totaling around 800,000 farmers. Additionally, the unique interplay between the Ghana Cocoa Board, domestic processors, and the private sector creates a unique situation and challenges that need to be addressed. For more additional context, please refer to our post in our Knowledge Center on Ghana.
What did I do?
My primary goal was to research the diverse challenges that come with implementing this regulation for the cocoa industry in Ghana. Through extensive on-the-ground research, I sought to identify how these challenges differ across the industry. With this, the goal was to understand the scope of this regulation and give advice to stakeholders involved. However, it was not just business. I also had the amazing opportunity to fully experience Ghana and its culture as much as possible, eating local foods, experiencing traditional activities, and seeing everything this beautiful country had to offer.
In my next post I will provide some of my findings regarding the implementation of the EUDR and other learnings from my time in Ghana! In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding cocoa, Ghana or the EUDR don’t hesitate to contact the cocoa desk.
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