Kathmandu, July 7, 2025
As the world celebrates the rich, indulgent joy of World Chocolate Day, there is an urgent reminder behind every bite: your favourite treat may be fuelling environmental destruction.
Cocoa farming, the backbone of chocolate production, is one of the leading causes of deforestation in West Africa. In countries like Ivory Coast, the world's largest cocoa producer, it is estimated that up to 70% of illegal deforestation is linked directly to cocoa cultivation. This widespread environmental degradation not only threatens biodiversity and carbon sinks but also contributes to global climate change.
Recognising the gravity of this issue, the European Union has introduced the Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), which came into force in June 2023. This landmark policy requires companies trading in key commodities—including cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, and rubber—and their derived products like chocolate, to prove that their supply chains are not linked to recent deforestation or forest degradation.
Under the EUDR, chocolate products entering the EU market must come with robust traceability and geolocation data, ensuring they are not contributing to the destruction of critical forest landscapes.
This regulation aims to transform the global cocoa supply chain by encouraging sustainable, transparent sourcing practices and reducing the environmental footprint of the chocolate industry. It also opens up opportunities for smallholder cocoa farmers to adopt eco-friendly methods and access new markets that demand ethically and environmentally responsible products.
As consumers, our choices matter. By opting for deforestation-free chocolate, we can enjoy our sweets without guilt and support the broader fight against climate change, biodiversity loss, and unethical land use.
So today, as we indulge in the sweet taste of cocoa, let us also savour the idea of a greener, fairer world.
Choose chocolate that cares for forests, farmers, and the future.
