The EU Organic Regulation: A Heavy Burden for Fairtrade Organic Producers

The EU Organic Regulation was designed with noble intentions—to strengthen organic standards and ensure greater accountability. However, for thousands of Fairtrade organic producers in Third Countries, it has become an uphill battle. Small producers who have long provided ethical and sustainable products now find themselves struggling to keep up with a wave of new rules, mounting costs, and looming uncertainty.

One of the biggest hurdles is the shift from traditional Small Producer Groups (SPGs) to a new framework called Groups of Operators. For many small farmers, this change isn’t just a procedural adjustment—it’s a complete overhaul of how they operate. With stricter management and production rules, along with more intense audits, compliance has become a heavy and expensive burden. Add to this the costs of residue testing, and the risk of shipments being rejected is higher than ever.

The financial strain is immense. Small producers are expected to bear the costs of these changes entirely on their own. Buyers are not obligated to share the financial load, leaving producers with a difficult choice: try to meet the requirements and risk financial instability, or give up their EU organic certification. Many fear that by 2024 or 2025, decertification will no longer be a choice but a necessity.

This crisis has a domino effect. If producers exit the organic market, supply chains will weaken. Consumers in the EU will find fewer Fairtrade organic products on shelves, and those that remain will come at a higher price. For producers, this means lost income and growing poverty. For EU consumers, it means ethical and sustainable choices could become luxuries rather than accessible options.

The Weight of Overlapping Regulations

The EU Organic Regulation isn’t the only challenge. Farmers are being asked to adapt to a slew of new requirements, including the EU Deforestation Regulation, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the Forced Labour Regulation. These policies, while important, create an overwhelming maze of compliance for small producers who lack the resources to navigate it all.

Larger, well-funded operations may find ways to manage these changes, but smaller, community-based producers are falling behind. It’s the smaller farmers—the heart of Fairtrade—that face the greatest risk of being left out.

A Perfect Storm of Challenges

The timing couldn’t be worse. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still lingering, with many producers struggling to recover. The Ukraine conflict has further disrupted global markets, driving up costs for essential supplies. Climate change adds yet another layer of urgency, forcing farmers to invest in new practices just to keep their fields productive.

Against this backdrop, the EU-centric rules feel like an additional weight rather than a helping hand. They demand time, money, and resources that many producers simply don’t have. Ironically, these changes do little to address the real threats these farmers face—economic instability, climate resilience, and global market disruptions.

What This Means for Everyone

The consequences are stark. Reduced supply of Fairtrade organic products in the EU means higher prices, making it harder for everyday consumers to afford ethical choices. As demand drops, so does the income of producers, pushing communities in the Global South deeper into poverty. This vicious cycle undermines the very foundation of Fairtrade and sustainable farming, leaving fewer incentives for small farmers to continue their vital work.

A Call for Solutions

So, what can be done? The EU must recognize the unintended consequences of its regulations and step in with solutions. Financial support and incentives for small producers to maintain their certification are critical. Buyers, too, need to play their part by sharing the burden of compliance costs.

Collaboration is key. Producers, buyers, certifiers, and regulators must work together to create a system that supports small farmers instead of pushing them out. Technical assistance, training, and direct funding can help level the playing field and keep smaller producers in the game.

Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility

Fairtrade organic producers are the backbone of ethical farming. Their work protects biodiversity, supports healthier communities, and creates livelihoods in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Yet, under the weight of the EU Organic Regulation, they are at risk of being left behind.

This is not just their fight—it’s ours too. By standing together and creating pathways for support, we can ensure that Fairtrade organic farming doesn’t just survive but thrives. At Organil Services, we remain committed to being a part of this journey, offering guidance, advocacy, and practical solutions for those navigating these turbulent times.

Let us remember: the true cost of ethical choices should never be paid by those who can least afford it. Together, we can ensure that sustainable farming remains a global priority, accessible and viable for all.