Cocoa Industry Emissions Dropped Following EU Regulation
A new analysis shows global cocoa sourcing emissions fell by 24.5 percent in 2025 following European policy agreements.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Organic Food
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Global cocoa production rose by 8 percent in 2025 while emissions associated with sourcing dropped by 24.5 percent. This shift follows the 2023 agreement on the European Union Deforestation Regulation.
Why it matters
The analysis highlights how anticipated regulatory frameworks are already influencing corporate supply chain behaviors ahead of full implementation. Companies are increasingly self-reporting deforestation-free sourcing as they prepare for stricter international compliance standards.
Global cocoa production increased by an estimated 8 percent in 2025. Additionally, the average percentage of companies' sourcing self-reported as deforestation-free rose by 17 percentage points.
The players
Global Witness
This international organization conducts investigations and analysis to expose links between natural resource exploitation, conflict, and human rights abuses.
Ferrero
This is a major Italian manufacturer of branded chocolate and confectionery products known for its global supply chain operations.
The details
Global Witness utilized corporate reports to estimate emissions intensity, finding that firms like Ferrero have begun publicly disclosing the emissions intensity of their sourcing. These metrics reflect a broader industry push to align with the European Union Deforestation Regulation agreed upon in 2023.
Timeline
The European Union Deforestation Regulation was agreed upon in 2023.
Global cocoa production rose by an estimated 8% in 2025.
EUDR legal obligations for large companies are expected to enter into force by the end of 2026.
Culture Shift
This trend highlights the growing industry reliance on transparency to meet international sustainability mandates. It reflects a shift away from opaque supply chains toward documented, deforestation-free sourcing practices.
Consumers may notice more specific environmental disclosures on chocolate packaging as companies adjust their sourcing transparency. These changes reflect long-term efforts to make supply chains more sustainable and deforestation-free.
The takeaway
The cocoa industry is successfully decoupling production growth from environmental impact as regulatory pressure mounts. Shoppers should expect higher levels of sustainability reporting from major confectionery brands moving forward.
What happens next
Legal obligations for large companies under the European Union Deforestation Regulation are expected to come into force at the end of 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Organic Food standards.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business & Human Rights.
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