Tackling cadmium contamination: Building stronger Peruvian cacao and avocado sectors to ensure access to EU markets

Since 2018, scientists in Peru have worked with cacao cooperatives, government actors, and private-sector partners to address compliance with EU cadmium regulations affecting cacao exports. Supported by national, USAID/USDA, and EU-funded initiatives, the work combined rapid cadmium testing technologies, farmer-led trials, and agroecological disease management to maintain market access and protect farmer incomes, while generating scalable solutions adopted by the cacao and avocado sector.