COCERAL urges EU deforestation regulation implementation delay

The European association representing agricultural trade, COCERAL, has urged the European Union to grant an additional one-year delay in implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 (EU Deforestation Regulation — EUDR), stressing that the regulation still faces unresolved technical and logistical challenges that could jeopardize the stability of the soybean supply chain.

The organization appealed to the European Commission to review the implementation timeline and address critical business challenges to ensure a smooth transition for European companies and consumers. COCERAL emphasized the need for close cooperation between the Commission and agricultural industry representatives in preparing for full enforcement of the regulation.

According to COCERAL, the Commission’s announcements of September 23 and October 21, which provided differing application schedules, have only deepened market uncertainty, creating a risk of supply disruptions due to the difficulty of meeting compliance requirements by December 31, 2025. The group warned that a shortage of EUDR-compliant raw materials could cause serious disruptions in supply chains.

“Building new infrastructure for segregated supply chains — such as silos, crushing plants, and port terminals — is extremely costly and nearly unrealistic in major ports,” the association stated. “This has already led to reduced processing volumes, higher costs, and limited product availability, which could further drive up food prices and inflation across the EU.”

COCERAL also warned that the impact on the EU livestock and feed sectors could be significant, as operators may be forced to increase imports of finished goods from outside the EU, threatening the competitiveness of European animal production.

“COCERAL urges the European Commission to adopt a pragmatic, step-by-step approach to implementing the EUDR,” the statement concluded. “At this stage, an additional one-year delay remains the only practical solution to avoid shortages in 2026 and preserve stability in the EU’s agricultural and consumer markets.”

Tags: EU, soybean, palm oil, restrictions