Liberia moves to launch cocoa, coffee traceability system to meet EU standards

Published: September 5, 2025

BUSHROD ISLAND, Monrovia — Liberia is set to roll out a national traceability system for cocoa and coffee, a move officials say will safeguard farmers’ livelihoods and keep the country’s exports competitive under tough new European Union rules.

The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) announced Thursday that the system will help the country comply with the EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires proof that agricultural products are sustainably produced and not linked to deforestation.

“This system will ensure that every farm is recorded and every crop is accounted for, providing comprehensive data to meet strict international standards,” LACRA said in a statement.

Responding to Global Pressures

Acting Director General Dan Saryee said the initiative is critical to protecting Liberia’s place in global commodity markets.

“This innovation from DaVinci looks good,” Saryee said, referring to POLIPUS Agritracce 360, a digital platform designed by DaVinci Intel. “It could be the best solution for Liberia to address traceability challenges and secure its position in the global market.”

The platform is designed to digitally track cocoa and coffee from farms to export points, ensuring transparency and accountability while giving farmers and exporters reliable data to prove compliance. A DaVinci Intel team presented the system to LACRA senior managers on Wednesday.

Engaging Farmers and Exporters

LACRA has also opened talks with exporters and industry leaders on how best to adapt the system to Liberia’s realities. A one-day stakeholder dialogue earlier this week explored EUDR compliance strategies, including digital regulatory processes and mobile money payments to cut costs for rural farmers.

The meeting concluded with the creation of a joint committee of exporters and industry leaders to help guide the rollout.

Protecting Livelihoods

Officials stressed that the system is not just about meeting trade requirements but also about protecting smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Liberia’s cocoa and coffee sectors.

“The new system, once fully activated, will help farmers mitigate risks associated with non-compliance and ensure the long-term viability of Liberia’s agricultural exports,” Saryee said.