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EU – He European Union does not limit or hinder Dominican cocoa exports. Even so, producers must certify, as of December 30, 2025, that the merchandise was grown on land that was not deforested or is not part of forest degradation, according to statements by the Delegation of the European Union in the Dominican Republic for the newspaper TODAY. .
The entity responded to questions from HOY regarding the complaint by the president of the National Confederation of Dominican Cocoa Growers (Conacado), Isidoro de la Rosathat the European Union has established a series of rules and regulations that hinder Dominican exports.
The delegate of the country's second president of the European Union, Stefan PauwelsHe said that Dominican cocoa is highly appreciated for its quality, aroma and flavor, and there is always interest in strengthening commercial ties. He recalled that the Dominican Republic and Ecuador are the main exporters of organic cocoa to the European Union.
The First Counselor, head of the Commercial Section of the entity, Luis Araque de Juan, explained that at the end of this year the “Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on the availability in the Union market and export of certain raw materials and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation” was going to come into force. However, it was postponed until December 30, 2025.
He indicated that this new legislation aims to prevent the sale in the EU of products that come from areas affected by deforestation or forest degradation and must be complied with by all countries that export to their member countries.
He said that as of the established date, cocoa farmers and other farmers must certify that their farm is not in a deforested area and send geocoordinates or geolocations of the land to be able to export.
He added that in another order, organic products go from a current equivalence system to one of conformity in which certifiers will have to visit the producers and re-certify with the new requirements. Araque said that this new system applies to everyone, not just Dominican producers. Araque also recalled that in April the EU-funded Cacao Trace program began with more than RD$50 millionthat will train 700 producers from Monte Plata to improve sustainable production and strengthen the supply chain.