UKUKU

A few days ago, UKUKU Export, represented by its co-founders Felipe Padilla and Cristian Moraga, participated in a virtual meeting organized by Colombia’s National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN) and the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (FNC). This meeting aimed to explain the new requirements for origin certification that the European Union (EU) and China will begin to demand for coffee products, with a focus on sustainability and traceability.

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What is the Origin Certification in International Trade?

Origin certification is an essential document in international trade that validates the production country of a product. In the case of Colombian coffee, this certification not only assures authenticity of origin but also allows exporters to take advantage of preferential trade agreements and assures the final consumer that the coffee comes from specific regions with high-quality standards.

New Requirements Imposed by the European Union and China for Colombian Coffee

1. Requirements of the European Union The European Union has implemented strict sustainability and traceability regulations for imported coffee, driven by the EU’s interest in ensuring that its products do not contribute to deforestation or harm ecosystems.
   • Origin Certification with Complete Traceability: The EU requires Colombian coffee entering its markets to be supported by an exhaustive traceability system. This means documenting each stage, from the purchase of parchment beans to the final process as green or roasted beans. This complete traceability system represents a challenge for cooperatives and resellers, who must adjust their logistics and documentation systems to ensure each coffee bean complies with EU standards.
   • Rainforest Certification: Additionally, the EU mandates that coffee meet Rainforest Alliance certification, ensuring that the product is grown following sustainable environmental and social practices. This certification verifies that cultivation respects biodiversity, labor rights, and ecosystem integrity. This standard adds an additional challenge for cooperatives and the National Federation of Coffee Growers, which must ensure that each small producer meets these criteria for coffee to be eligible for the European market.
2. Requirements of China for Colombian Coffee China, on the other hand, has a different regulatory approach, focusing on ensuring product authenticity:
   • Origin Certification: China requires each coffee export to have origin certification, ensuring the product is 100% Colombian.
   • Hulling Certification: This additional requirement, also mandatory for export to China, validates that the coffee has undergone a hulling process under specific quality standards. This certification is essential for sample shipments and commercial orders alike, without which products cannot enter the Chinese market. This requires exporters to maintain strict controls throughout the entire bean processing cycle.

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Challenges for Coffee Producers and Cooperatives in Colombia

These new requirements pose major challenges for Colombian exporters:

• Implementation of Complete Traceability: Documenting the full coffee bean cycle requires advanced tracking technology, which entails additional costs for producers, especially for cooperatives and small resellers.
• Compliance with Rainforest Certification: The requirement for sustainable certification presents logistical difficulties for cooperatives and the FNC, as they must ensure that small producers meet the environmental and labor standards demanded by the EU.
• Training and Adaptation to New Standards: To meet the requirements of China and the EU, cooperatives must implement training programs so that their members understand the new standards and adjust their farming and processing practices.

Conclusion

The new requirements from the EU and China for origin and sustainability certification push Colombian exporters to strengthen their traceability and sustainability practices. While they pose challenges, these regulations also offer an opportunity to solidify the prestige of Colombian coffee as a high-quality, environmentally respectful product. Meeting these standards is essential to maintain access to these high-value markets and position Colombian coffee as a global sustainability leader.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does China require for the import of Colombian coffee?
China requires origin certification and hulling certification for all coffee shipments, including samples and commercial orders.

What is the origin certification for Colombian coffee?
It is a document that confirms the coffee’s Colombian origin and meets the quality and authenticity standards of the destination country.

What are the EU’s traceability requirements for coffee?
The EU requires each stage of coffee processing to be documented, from the purchase of parchment beans to the final processing.

What is Rainforest certification and why is it important?
Rainforest certification ensures that coffee meets sustainable practices and respects biodiversity, which is mandatory for entry into the EU market.

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