A Ticking Clock on Market Access
Kenya is scrambling to align with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) ahead of the firm deadline of 30 December 2025, under which medium and large operators must prove that exported coffee products are not linked to deforestation that occurred after 31 December 2020 (Kilimo,2025). Smallholder farmers and micro-enterprises benefit from a six-month extension, bringing their compliance cut-off to 30 June 2026.
This regulation applies to key commodities such as coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, beef, rubber, and timber, and mandates stringent traceability through geolocation and documentation.
Stakes Are High for Kenya’s Coffee Sector
Coffee is one of Kenya’s most valuable export earners—95% of the nation’s coffee is exported, and the EU accounts for around 55% of these exports, principally to Belgium, Germany, Sweden, and Finland. In the last five years, Kenya has shipped approximately 122,699 metric tonnes of coffee to the EU, earning about USD 695.7 million (KSh 90 billion) (Kilimo, 2025). Notably, 70% of Kenya’s coffee is produced by smallholder farmers, whose livelihoods hinge on continued access to the EU market
Mapping for Compliance: Progress and Challenges
To meet traceability requirements, Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, has launched a nationwide geospatial mapping initiative of all coffee-growing areas.
Currently, 32,688 hectares—representing 30% of the 109,384 hectares under cultivation in 16 out of 33 coffee-producing counties—have been geo-mapped using satellite imagery. The remaining farms are slated to be mapped within the next two months, under the oversight of a multi-agency EUDR Data Committee comprising AFA, the State Departments for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Space Agency, the Directorate of Survey and Remote Sensing, and KALRO (Kilimo, 2025).
Government’s Pledge: No Extensions, Only Results
Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Mutahi Kagwe, has assured stakeholders that the government will not seek another extension. He tasked relevant agencies—including the Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Space Agency, Directorate of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing, and AFA—with dedicating necessary resources to achieve full compliance by 30 November 2025. The urgency is clear: falling short could jeopardize billions in export revenue and threaten livelihoods for upward of 800,000 farmers.
Smallholders: Vulnerable Amid Rising Compliance Costs
Smallholder producers may struggle under the EUDR’s reporting and traceability demands—which include GPS-based geolocation of farms, satellite monitoring, and digital tracking systems. Many lack the technological infrastructure or financial capacity to meet these standards without external support.
Experts warn that globally, similar regulations risk disadvantaging small-scale producers, who could be sidelined by buyers favoring large operations with established traceability. This underscores the need for investment in farm-level capacity building (Chebet,2024).
Urgent Support Needed
To protect market access and protect rural livelihoods, stakeholders are calling for:
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Accelerated mapping operations through public–private partnerships and technological support.
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Technical and financial aid for smallholders to adopt digital tools and meet traceability requirements.
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Capacity-building programs to ensure farmers nationwide understand and comply with EUDR obligations.
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Transparent communication from authorities to guide cooperatives, exporters, and farmers through the process.
At a Glance
| Issue | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| EUDR deadline (Dec 30, 2025 / Jun 30, 2026) | Noncompliance risks EU market exclusion. |
| Coffee export dependency | 55% of exports go to EU; smallholders produce 70% of output. |
| Mapping progress | 30% of farms mapped; full coverage needed imminently. |
| Smallholder vulnerability | High compliance costs may sideline most coffee farmers. |
| Government response | Strong push from AFA and related agencies with no intention for further delay. |
Final Thought
Kenya is engaged in a high-stakes race to safeguard its coffee sector—and the millions who depend on it—from regulatory exclusion. Success hinges not only on completing the mapping exercise, but also on embedding support systems for smallholders to effectively participate in the digital traceability ecosystem now mandated by the EU. Without this dual focus, Kenya risks losing access to its most lucrative export market and undermining rural livelihoods.
Let me know if you’d like to add farmer stories, cooperative case studies, or a breakdown of digital tools at play.
