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Summary:
This briefing note summarizes three country-level studies carried out between 2021 and 2022 to present the findings of the available literature related to the spatial distribution of Cd in countries, how the regulation has affected the different actors and the responses that have carried out these to address the problem. With the information in this document, we hope to improve and update the literature available to date.
The effects of the EU food safety regulation on cadmium content in foods (EU 488/2014; EU2021/1323 of August 10, 2021) on the cocoa value chains of the countries assessed vary within and between each other, according to their structures and markets served. The regulation has had severe and localized impacts in areas where the production of special cocoas and high cadmium content coincide; However, at an aggregate level, the impacts have been minor.
Cooperatives and export companies have faced increases in their operating costs of up to 20%, related to Cd mapping, traceability, grain mixing, marketing expenses, and laboratory tests. Also, they have experienced
lower export prices and lost income due to changes in their clientele.
The adoption of similar food safety regulations by other countries may limit the adaptive capacity that exporters and cooperatives have demonstrated.