As the global coffee community gears up for the highly anticipated World of Coffee Expo, a pivotal side event at the International Trade Center (ITC) in Geneva has set the stage for some of the most pressing discussions in the industry.
With a sharp focus on empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, and boosting competitiveness in the coffee value chain, the event attracted key stakeholders from across the globe.
At the heart of the conversation was the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a game-changing policy set to reshape the way coffee is sourced, traded, and verified.
Speakers and panelists underscored the urgency for coffee-producing countries and exporters—especially SMEs—to adapt swiftly or risk exclusion from one of the world’s largest markets.
“We’re at a crossroads,” said Kyakulaga, “The EUDR isn’t just another regulatory hurdle. It’s a wake-up call for the entire coffee value chain to become more transparent, traceable, and sustainable.”
The event highlighted innovative solutions to help SMEs build resilience, including digital traceability tools, inclusive financing mechanisms, and capacity-building partnerships.
Representatives from coffee cooperatives, trade associations, and international organisations emphasised the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing to level the playing field for smaller players.
Promoting competitiveness was another issued stressed from origin branding to value addition and improved market access, exporters stressed that true sustainability must also be economically viable for producers at the grassroots level.
As Geneva becomes a global hub for coffee dialogue this week, empowering SMEs and embracing sustainable trade isn’t just ethical—it’s essential for the future of the industry.