The move, which gives African cocoa and coffee producers a reprieve, was driven by internal E.U. pressure and technical delays, drawing criticism from environmentalists.

The European Union’s landmark law banning the import of commodities linked to deforestation, including cocoa, coffee, soy, palm oil, timber and beef, has been pushed back to the end of 2026.

According to reporting by Le Monde, the latest delay follows pressure from several member states, notably Germany and Austria, which have criticized the regulation. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) was adopted in June 2023 and was originally scheduled to take effect in late 2024. It was later postponed to the end of 2025 after lobbying by major trade partners such as the United States, Brazil and Indonesia.

After that first delay, the European Commission requested more time to prepare the forest-monitoring IT system required for enforcement. The Commission said it must be able to process the large volume of data the law will generate.

EU governments have now postponed the deadline by another year and agreed to review the law in April 2026 before it comes into force. That review could result in further changes.

The decision has drawn criticism from observers who see it as a retreat from the bloc’s environmental commitments. The EU accounts for roughly 10 percent of global deforestation through its consumption patterns. The new delay also contradicts an appeal issued earlier by major food and agriculture companies. In an October 2 letter, firms including Nestlé, Olam Agri and Ferrero said they were ready for the law to take effect and had already invested in compliance.

For African countries, however, the extension provides valuable extra time to prepare. It will allow governments to strengthen their traceability systems, invest in digital tools and equipment and improve coordination with foreign companies.

Under the EUDR risk classification, Ghana, Gabon, Congo, South Africa, Tunisia and Madagascar are considered low-risk countries for deforestation and forest degradation. Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Côte d’Ivoire are currently listed as standard-risk countries.

Espoir Olodo

Read More:

05/10/2025- EU Weighs Delay to 2025 Anti-Deforestation Law Amid Industry Calls to Stay on Track

24/09/2025- EU seeks another one-year delay to anti-deforestation import law

21/10/2024- Seizing the 12-month EUDR extension: towards a deforestation-free cocoa sector in West Africa