Adeola Adegoke, the National President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), has raised serious concerns about the future of Nigeria’s cocoa industry due to new European Union (EU) regulations on sustainable cocoa production. These regulations, set to take effect by 2025, may result in Nigerian cocoa being banned from the EU market if it fails to meet sustainability standards.

Speaking at the FAO-GEF FOLUR National Inception Workshop in Abuja, Adegoke highlighted the critical role the EU plays as Nigeria’s largest cocoa market. He warned that a potential ban would significantly impact foreign exchange earnings and investment in the cocoa sector, which provides millions of jobs for farmers and other stakeholders. Cocoa remains the second-highest foreign exchange earner for Nigeria.

Adegoke explained that global buyers are increasingly demanding sustainable practices in cocoa production, and Nigeria has already seen its products, including cocoa, face rejections due to non-compliance with international standards. He stressed that the consequences of a ban would be devastating to the nation’s economy, particularly given Nigeria’s current foreign exchange challenges.

He called on the Nigerian government to take advantage of available funding from the Global Environment Fund (GEF) to implement sustainable cocoa practices, stressing that action must be taken before the 2025 deadline. Adegoke emphasized that state governments, particularly those of Ondo and Cross River, should collaborate with federal authorities, industry stakeholders, and the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture to ensure that the necessary changes are made.

With 2025 rapidly approaching, Adegoke urged stakeholders to prioritize the successful implementation of sustainable practices to safeguard the future of Nigeria’s cocoa industry and prevent a significant economic loss.