A deforestation-free coffee production model in the Ecuadorian Amazon has moved beyond its pilot stage, now involving nearly 400 producers preparing for the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The initiative, which began in 2019, integrates traceability and geospatial monitoring to certify coffee grown without contributing to forest loss.
The project has demonstrated considerable export growth, shipping a cumulative 172.5 metric tons of deforestation-free coffee between 2022 and 2025. According to project data, exports in 2025 alone equaled the total volume of the preceding three years. The initiative currently covers nearly 5,000 hectares, with 373 participating producers helping to conserve over 1,200 hectares of natural forest.
The model was developed to proactively meet the EUDR's stringent requirements, which will mandate that operators provide geographic proof that commodities are not sourced from land deforested after 2020. Participating farmers utilize agroforestry systems, growing coffee alongside timber, fruit trees, and other crops. This approach not only aids in forest conservation but also improves farm productivity and food security, creating a viable framework for sustainable production in sensitive biomes.