The EU Organic Regulation introduced stricter requirements regarding operating supplies, documentation and parallel production. Often times requiring an economic investment from farmers, many of whom struggling to earn a living income in the first place, in order to comply. The changes introduced have led to follow-up inspections, certification backlogs and, in some cases, the temporary suspension of organic status for farms. Additionally, many cocoa cooperatives are in the process of transitioning or recertifying. Consequently, the quantities available in the short term of Fairtrade cocoa that are certified as compliant are falling. Fairtrade has repeatedly called for the EUOR to be simplified in order to prevent farms from being decertified and farmers from incurring high costs.

Climatic stresses also negatively impact yields and lead to increased quality exclusions . At the same time, unintended pesticide residues, often caused by drift from neighbouring farms that do not adhere to organic standards or by the use of shared equipment, result in farmers failing to meet organic specifications. Deliveries from Peru, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Sierra Leone are particularly affected.

Fairtrade supports cooperatives and trading partners

Fairtrade works closely with cooperatives, offering training courses and webinars that explain the provisions of the European Organic Regulation. Fairtrade and local producer networks also support cooperatives that require recertification. This enables new deliveries to reach the market swiftly.

Many Fairtrade partners, including those in Switzerland, are currently still using up existing stocks of organic Fairtrade cocoa. However, they are under immense pressure to procure new, physically traceable raw materials. Currently, there is almost no supply of segregated organic Fairtrade cocoa. The situation will not improve until the next harvest at the earliest.

Fairtrade International has therefore decided on a temporary exemption until 15 September 2026. If physically traceable Fairtrade organic cocoa is not available, Fairtrade cocoa with mass balance may be used. On the basis of this exemption, Fairtrade will not require any adjustment or replacement of packaging already produced with reference to traceable organic cocoa. Regardless of this, compliance with applicable legal regulations remains the responsibility of the companies. In addition, companies must transparently indicate on a suitable channel (e.g. their website) that the cocoa comes from mass balance. If the situation does not improve, packaging must be adjusted by mid-September 2026 at the latest.