Kenya exports first EUDR-compliant coffee shipment to EU, boosting sustainable trade
Kenya ships its first EUDR-compliant coffee to Poland, marking progress in sustainable trade and strengthening access to the European Union market for local farmers.
KENYA – Kenya has flagged off its first shipment of 320 bags of European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)-compliant coffee to Poland, marking a significant step in aligning its coffee exports with global sustainability standards.
The shipment consists of 320 bags, each weighing 60kg, sourced from 13 cooperative societies through a collaborative effort led by the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (NKPCU).
The initiative was supported by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Global Coffee Platform, the Kenya Coffee Platform, and German cooperation under the DIASCA programme.
The European Union Deforestation-free Regulation, adopted in June 2023, requires companies exporting commodities such as coffee, cocoa, cattle, oil palm, rubber, soya and wood to demonstrate that their products are not linked to deforestation and are fully traceable to their source.
Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony, Principal Secretary in the State Department of Cooperatives, Patrick Kilemi, emphasised the importance of smallholder farmers in meeting compliance requirements.
“The government ensures that no farmer is excluded from international markets due to compliance challenges and that farmers are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and digital systems for compliance,” he said.
Kilemi added that targeted efforts are being made to ensure inclusivity within the value chain, particularly for youth, women and persons with disabilities.
Coffee remains one of Kenya’s leading export earners, with the country exporting approximately 51,000 tonnes valued at Sh35–40 billion in 2023. The European Union accounts for more than 50% of Kenya’s coffee exports, making it the largest destination for the commodity.
NKPCU Managing Director Timothy Mirugi said the initiative is expected to enhance farmer incomes and strengthen Kenya’s global competitiveness.
“It also reflects our alignment with international sustainability standards, particularly in the context of climate action and responsible trade,” he said.
Kevin Onyango, Senior Research Associate at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, highlighted the role of data and collaboration in achieving compliance.
“The experience shows that the tools and technologies required for compliance already exist; what matters most is how stakeholders come together to apply them,” he said.
He added, “What this journey has shown is that the real innovation is not just in the technology itself, but in how we collaborate, bringing together science, partnerships, and trust to build systems that work for everyone across the value chain.”
George Watene, Programmes Manager at Global Coffee Platform, noted the challenges involved in implementation.
“We have therefore been working with strategic partners not just for financing, but also to inform and integrate the right technologies. Collaboration has brought in resources and science to ensure we are doing things the right way throughout the process,” he said.
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