PRINT

Representatives of the European Union, Spain, Germany, France, Government of Honduras and productive sectors discuss progress in guaranteeing deforestation-free Honduran exports.

21.07.2025 Press and information team of the Delegation to HONDURAS

Honduras continues to prepare for entry into force of the European Union's No Deforestation Regulation

Reglamento no deforestacion Unión Europea Honduras
© EU

July 21, 2025- At a meeting between ambassadors from the European Union, Spain, Germany, France, representatives of the Government of Honduras and coffee, cocoa and palm oil producers, progress was presented to ensure that Honduran exports comply with the European Union Non-Deforestation Regulation.

Since the beginning of 2024, the European Union has provided technical support to Honduras in its preparation process for compliance with the Regulation. This support has focused on facilitating and strengthening multi-stakeholder coordination, promoting workshops between the Government of Honduras and the three main production systems whose exports are impacted by the European regulation: coffee, palm oil and cocoa. Currently, about 54% of coffee, 55% of palm oil and 90% of fine Honduran cocoa are exported to the European market.
 

Advances

Among the advances presented, it was highlighted that in 2024, the Government of Honduras facilitated the formation of an inter-institutional technical committee to support adaptation to the Regulation by the main sectors exporting to Europe: coffee, palm oil, and cocoa producers. These actions have been led by the National Institute for Forest Conservation and Development (ICF), designated as the coordinator of the process, with participation from institutions such as the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock, the Secretariat of Economic Development, among others.

During the first half of 2025, the committee has made progress in defining the legality of production systems, carrying out a thorough analysis of the main laws applicable in Honduras, based on the legal categories described in the European Regulation. The methodology of the European Forest Institute and the guide published by the European Union in April 2025 have been used. Dissemination of the legal guidance document is expected to begin in September 2025. The awareness campaign will be conducted in collaboration with key stakeholders representing the production chains, such as the Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE), the Honduran Palm Oil Producers Industrial Association (AIPAH), and the National Cocoa Chain Committee.

Another notable achievement is that the ICF updated its forest cover and land use map for the year 2024, which includes data layers mainly on oil palm and coffee crops. They also prepared a coffee map for the year 2020, identifying nearly 400,000 hectares of coffee established in Honduras before the EUDR cutoff date (December 31, 2020). Therefore, these areas are considered deforestation-free and are eligible for export to the European market.

Through pilot export exercises with pre-identified companies in the three productive sectors, and with the support of international cooperation and civil society, efforts are being made to export containers in compliance with due diligence requirements. To achieve this, digital platforms and guidance tools such as the legality guide will be used. These exercises will help identify gaps and opportunities to better prepare for the Regulation’s implementation dates: December 30, 2025, for large companies and June 30, 2026, for small and medium-sized enterprises. In this regard, ambassadors praised Honduras for reaching a milestone last May by sending the first deforestation-free coffee container.

The dialogue promoted today by the European Union in Honduras reflects its commitment to continue supporting the Government and productive sectors in maintaining exports of coffee, cocoa, and palm oil to the European market. This support aims to ensure compliance with zero-deforestation requirements while promoting sustainable production in the country.

 

-------

Additional Information:

European Union Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products

The Regulation has the following objectives:

  • To minimize the European Union’s contribution to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide, thereby helping reduce global deforestation.
  • To reduce the EU’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and global biodiversity loss.

The Regulation aims to ensure that supply chains for products such as coffee, palm oil, and cocoa are not linked to forest loss occurring after December 31, 2020. It entered into force in July 2023, with application scheduled for December 30, 2025 for large companies, and June 30, 2026 for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Under the EU’s country risk classification system, Honduras has been categorized as “standard risk.” This means that 3% of Honduran imports made by European operators (importers) into the EU market will be audited by Competent Authorities designated by the European Union. These audits aim to ensure that the products:

  • Are deforestation-free after December 31, 2020,
  • Comply with the legal requirements of the country of production (in this case, the legality of Honduras as it applies to the specific production plot),
  • And have undergone proper due diligence, including risk assessment and the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures to prevent deforestation.