kenya races against time to secure Europe union coffee market amid stringent deforestation regulations

Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has been made aware that action is needed quickly if Kenya is to make all the necessary efforts to ensure compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This is a matter of urgency as it is a necessary step to ensure Kenya’s coffee is not negatively affected or blocked from the European market.

In the last five years, Kenya has exported 122,699 metric tonnes of clean coffee to the EU, which earned Ksh 90 billion or USD 695.7 million. However, the EUDR, which came into force on April 19, 2023, requires that all coffee exports to the EU must be certified as deforestation-free, legally produced, and traceable, as well as physically verified with geo-location by December 30, 2025.

On May 22, 2025, Kenya was classified as a low-risk country by the EU after successful multi-agency efforts to complete the countrywide deforestation mapping and verification using geo-mapping technology. This is only an interim risk classification, and so far, only 29.9% of the 16 counties covered under Phases I and II have been mapped. Phase III will cover the remaining 17 counties, and it is scheduled to be completed by September 2025.

Participants at the meeting were warned of the potential consequences if the certification is not achieved by December 30, 2025. The risks posed by missing the deadline include:

1. Losing market access

2. Tarnishing Kenya’s premium coffee brand image

3. Jeopardizing the ongoing reforms in the coffee subsector under the BETA policy document of confidence among EU coffee buyers

A major point of concern is the impact of this on smallholder coffee farmers. Coffee is a major agricultural export crop and source of income, with 70% of Kenya’s coffee being produced by smallholders spread across 33 counties that service rural economies. Failing to meet EUDR requirements will disproportionately impact these farmers.

Meeting attendees have resolved to step up the EUDR compliance process in order to meet the requirement by the stipulated date. This was made clear by instructions to all relevant and necessary agencies and institutions that have to play a role, including the Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Space Agency, Directorate of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing (DRSRS), and the Coffee Directorate (AFA Kenya). These agencies and their agencies under them have been tasked to dedicate all available human and financial resources to ensure Kenya meets the requirements by November 30, 2025. They have no intention of applying for an extension.

The Director General of AFA was in attendance, alongside DRSRS representation and other stakeholders.