Government Initiates Coffee Quality Tracing System for EU Export

The Ugandan government has announced plans to establish a National Coffee Registry aimed at tracing farmers and ensuring coffee quality, particularly for exports to the European Union (EU). Robert Nangatsa, the manager of coffee extension services at the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), disclosed this initiative during a coffee stakeholder meeting held in Kampala.

Nangatsa emphasized that the introduction of the traceability system would bring significant changes to the coffee trading process. Under this system, traders will be mandated to trace coffee back to the specific plot where it was cultivated. To facilitate this, every farmer will be registered in the National Coffee Registry in accordance with the Coffee Act.

The stakeholder meeting, co-organized by UCDA, the International Trade Center, and the Uganda Coffee Federation, aimed to validate the National Action Plan for compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and EU regulations on deforestation-free products within the coffee value chain.

In alignment with these efforts, UCDA and other exporters will be required to provide a due diligence statement for each batch of coffee destined for the EU market. This move comes in response to the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which prohibits the export of coffee grown on land deforested after 2020.

In a recent agreement between UCDA, JDE Peet’s Sustainability Director Nadia Hoarau-Mwaura, and Enveritas CEO David Browning, measures were established to ensure compliance with the EUDR. The agreement entails remediation actions for coffee that violates the regulation, with JDE Peet’s supporting the rehabilitation of deforested land converted to coffee after 2020.

Hoarau-Mwaura highlighted the importance of balancing environmental concerns with the livelihoods of coffee farmers, emphasizing the agreement’s dual focus on environmental and social aspects. Enveritas will employ a technologically sophisticated approach, combining satellite imagery, machine learning, and ground teams to monitor Uganda’s coffee-growing regions and ensure compliance with the regulation.

UCDA’s developed protocol will facilitate the removal of non-compliant coffee from the supply chain, with JDE Peet’s subsequently assisting farmers in reforesting the land. This collaborative effort aims to assess Uganda’s entire coffee production area, involving nearly two million producers, as deforestation-free.

Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, UCDA’s managing director, underscored the necessity of an innovative approach to meet EU requirements while safeguarding the livelihoods of Ugandan coffee farmers. The partnership between UCDA, JDE Peet’s, and Enveritas enables concrete actions to address EU concerns regarding deforestation while ensuring market access for smallholder farmers.

Browning expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the role of technology in addressing validation challenges efficiently and cost-effectively. Through this collaboration, the Ugandan government aims to uphold environmental sustainability, support smallholder farmers, and maintain access to the EU market for its coffee exports.

Enveritas, a non-profit organization, works globally to promote responsible coffee sourcing and support smallholder farmers. JDE Peet’s, as the largest coffee roaster in the EU, plays a pivotal role in ensuring compliance and sustainability across its supply chain.