Making the EUDR Work: Real-World Pilots, Progress, and Innovation
June 17, 2025
Introduction
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) sets a high bar for sustainability in global supply chains—especially in forest-risk commodities such as coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, rubber, beef, and wood. But what does real compliance look like in practice?
To answer this, we’re building a living repository of case studies and innovative actions that demonstrate how producers, exporters, companies, governments, and local communities are adapting supply chains to meet EUDR requirements. From traceability pilots to smallholder inclusion programs and national policy tools, this growing collection showcases solutions that are already being tested or implemented across the globe.
Originally launched under the “Sustainable Finance Instruments for Sustainable Land Use” project (funded by the Moore Foundation), this repository now seeks contributions from across sectors and geographies and aims to build an interactive tool as we receive more entries.
👉 Have a tool, pilot, or initiative to share? Submit your case here.
1. EUDR-Compliant Exports: First Movers and Pilot Shipments
These cases spotlight actual or imminent EUDR-compliant exports to the EU:
🇨🇷 Costa Rica: Coffee Export Complying with EUDR Standards
Costa Rica has taken a bold step in exporting deforestation-free coffee to Italy under a REDD+ project framework, aligning with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements. This initiative highlights Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainability. The process involved utilising geolocation data to segregate compliant coffee from non-compliant production, with no significant additional costs for producers, apart from the paperwork and processing adjustments required. While this is a small-scale pilot project involving a limited number of producers, it underscores Costa Rica’s proactive approach to sustainable agriculture and its potential for scaling up.
Source: https://www.un-redd.org/post/costa-rica-exports-first-batch-deforestation-free-coffee
🇧🇷Brazil: First Shipment of Deforestation-Free Coffee
On July 27 2024, the first shipment of EUDR-compliant coffee from Minas Gerais, Brazil, departed from the port of Santos, destined for Dublin, Ireland. The shipment consisted of 320 bags from ten farmers in southern Minas Gerais State. This milestone was achieved through a collaborative effort involving the Minas Gerais State Government (SEAPA), the Cooperative of Coffee Growers of Três Pontas, and the SeloVerde MG platform, developed by UFMG, CIT, IEF, and SEAPA, with support from AL-INVEST Verde.
Source: https://alinvest-verde.eu/en_gb/primer-envio-de-cafe-libre-de-deforestacion-a-la-union-europea
🇻🇳Vietnam: Simexco Dak Lak – First EUDR-Compliant Coffee Producer
In April 2024, Simexco Dak Lak became the first company globally to achieve 4C-EUDR certification for coffee production, marking a major milestone in Vietnam’s sustainable agriculture efforts. After 10 months of preparation, Simexco implemented a comprehensive traceability system, collecting geo-coordinates and polygons for all sourcing areas, and conducting legality self-assessments in line with the 4C Code of Conduct. The company collaborated closely with local farmers across 90,000 hectares to ensure compliance with EUDR standards, including legal land use, deforestation-free sourcing, and adherence to international labor and indigenous rights conventions. This initiative positions Simexco as a pioneer in EUDR-aligned coffee exports and sets a precedent for other producers in the region.
🇭🇳Honduras Delivers First EUDR-Compliant Coffee Export
Honduras completed its first EUDR-compliant coffee export using a low-cost, open-source digital traceability system that geolocates farms and tracks supply chains while protecting farmer data. Led by Bioversity-CIAT and partners, the pilot supports smallholder inclusion and helps secure EU market access ahead of the 2026 EUDR deadline.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1085563
🇧🇷Brazil: Olab EUDR Soy Export Dry-Run
(also relevant for section 2.)
Olab conducted a dry-run simulation of EUDR-compliant soy exports from Brazil in 2023. The project tested traceability systems, legality verification, and deforestation-free sourcing in a real-world export scenario. The findings, published in a detailed report, offer practical insights into the challenges and solutions for aligning soy supply chains with EUDR requirements.
2. Traceability Innovations and Digital Infrastructure
These cases highlight digital systems enabling EUDR-aligned traceability.
🇦🇷Argentina: VISEC Soy Supply Chain Traceability
The VISEC Soy Europe pilot is Argentina’s first large-scale effort to ensure deforestation-free soy exports in compliance with the EU’s upcoming anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR), effective December 2024. Backed by industry and conservation stakeholders and funded in part by the Land Innovation Fund, the initiative tracked over 46,000 tons of soy from more than 570 farms using a georeferenced MRV system, with shipments delivered to Spain and Ireland. Major traders like COFCO, Bunge, and Viterra participated, and the newly launched VISEC platform allows full traceability from farm to port, blocking any soy linked to post-2020 deforestation. The pilot is a key step in preserving the Gran Chaco biome and is expected to expand to beef and leather sectors by late 2024, positioning Argentina as a trusted supplier of EUDR-compliant commodities.
Source: https://www.landinnovation.fund/en/news/visec-soy-europe
🇰🇪Kenya: Advancing Coffee Traceability
Kenya is proactively preparing its coffee industry for EUDR compliance by implementing digital traceability systems. Collaborations with organizations like TechnoServe have introduced tools such as the TerraTrac app, enabling cooperatives to collect geolocation data of coffee farms efficiently and cost-effectively. A pilot program involving 19 cooperatives has successfully mapped numerous smallholder farms, ensuring that coffee production is not linked to deforestation post-2020. Additionally, a multi-agency initiative led by the Directorate of Resource Surveys & Remote Sensing aims to geolocate all coffee plots nationwide, integrating this data with remote sensing technologies. These concerted efforts underscore Kenya’s commitment to sustainable coffee production and maintaining access to the European market.
Source: https://www.technoserve.org/blog/kenyan-coffee-eudr-compliance-sustainable-solutions/
🇷🇼Rwanda: Digital Tools for Coffee Traceability
Rwanda’s digital coffee traceability pilot, led by ITC and partners like Farmer Connect and OLAM, enables geolocation and blockchain tracking for nearly 1,000 women farmers—directly aligning with EUDR requirements for deforestation-free, plot-level traceability. By mapping farms and logging payments and quality data, the initiative strengthens smallholder inclusion and ensures compliance with EU market demands for transparent, sustainable coffee supply chains.
🇬🇭Ghana: Cocoa Traceability through Digital Innovation
Ghana’s Cocoa Management System (CMS), spearheaded by the Ghana Cocoa Board and supported by the World Bank and the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), forms the backbone of the country’s efforts to ensure traceability across its cocoa sector. By digitally registering over 800,000 cocoa farmers and mapping their farms with geocoordinates, the CMS enables plot-level traceability, aligning with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements. This system captures yield, pricing, and sustainability data while linking cocoa beans to individual farmers, thereby enhancing transparency and supporting Ghana’s deforestation-free cocoa agenda. Through this initiative, Ghana strengthens smallholder inclusion and builds trust with international markets demanding sustainable and traceable supply chains.
Source: https://www.modernghana.com/news/1406336/ghanas-cocoa-traceability-system-a-foundation.html
🇻🇳Vietnam: Robust Robusta Coffee with Geolocation and Traceability
Vietnam, a global leader in Robusta coffee production, is proactively adapting its supply chains to meet EUDR requirements. Working with international roasters and development organizations, pilot programs are implementing advanced geolocation mapping of coffee farms and establishing robust traceability systems from farm to export. This allows for verification of deforestation-free cultivation, particularly in key coffee-growing regions. Although large-scale EUDR-compliant exports are still in development, early shipments of traceable coffee to European markets are showcasing Vietnam’s commitment to sustainable practices and its potential to be a major supplier of compliant coffee. A significant step in this direction is the launch of a national EUDR database system for forest and coffee growing areas.
🇮🇩Indonesia: Tesco’s TNFD Palm Oil Pilot
Tesco’s TNFD pilot with Global Canopy in Indonesia applied the TNFD LEAP framework to map its palm oil supply chain, using data tools like Trase and IBAT to geolocate sourcing volumes and assess biodiversity risks by district—crucial groundwork ahead of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The exercise enabled Tesco to pinpoint priority sourcing areas, evaluate where smallholders operate (especially uncertified regions), and design strategies that both meet EUDR’s deforestation-free mandate and avoid excluding small-scale suppliers
🌍Multi-Country: Deforestation-Free Rubber Supply Chains via GPSNR and Koltiva
(also relevant for section 3)
The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) launched a capacity-building initiative to support smallholder farmers in achieving deforestation-free compliance. With Koltiva as the implementing partner, the project successfully mapped over 4,000 rubber farmers and their farms in under a year, using the KoltiTrace platform. This platform enables full traceability from seed to tire, including geo-coordinates and land legality verification.
Source: https://sustainablenaturalrubber.org/capacity-building-projects/
🇦🇷🇵🇾🇺🇾🇧🇷Mercosur: EUDR Dry Runs for Deforestation-Free Beef and Soy
In an effort to prepare key agricultural exports for upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements, Proforest and local partners have launched pilot dry runs across Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. These simulations focus on aligning beef and soy supply chains with EUDR traceability and compliance expectations, involving producers, traders, and government stakeholders. The initiative identifies practical challenges and tests real-world data flows from farm to market, aiming to build readiness and resilience in the region’s agri-export sectors. By fostering dialogue and technical capacity, the project helps Mercosur countries remain competitive while advancing sustainable land use practices.
🇨🇲Cameroon: $20 Million Initiative for Deforestation-Free Cocoa
Cameroon, in collaboration with the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), has approved a $20 million project to promote deforestation-free agriculture. The initiative focuses on sustainable cocoa production through agroforestry practices, aiming to protect forests and support smallholder farmers. This aligns with EUDR goals and positions Cameroon as a proactive participant in sustainable agriculture.
Source: https://www.miragenews.com/cafi-cameroon-greenlights-20m-project-for-1268030/
🇧🇷Brazil: Agro Brasil+Sustentável Platform
The platform has been developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), in partnership with Embrapa and the Federal Data Processing Service (Serpro), and will provide organized, traceable and reliable information on sustainable agricultural production, being a strategic measure to serve the European market, others demanding markets and also access to public policies and incentive programs from the Brazilian government. It was presented to the EU representatives who considered the tool appropriate, important and conclusive with regard to meeting the EUDR requirements, as the information required in the Anti-Deforestation Law will be made available through the platform.
🇧🇷Brazil: National Plan for Cattle & Buffalo Identification
The Plan is the result of a Working Group created by the Brazilian government, which included the participation of the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (ABIEC) and other entities in the production chain. The government is working with the private sector to launch a data platform that will allow meat packers to fully trace their supplies starting in 2027. That will allow Brazilian beef to be completely traceable by 2032.
3. Inclusive Approaches: Supporting Smallholders
Cases that highlight equity and inclusion, especially in meeting EUDR’s traceability and legality expectations:
🇪🇨Ecuador: Deforestation-Free Coffee with UNDP and Lavazza
Since 2019, Ecuador has partnered with UNDP and Lavazza to produce deforestation-free coffee, setting a benchmark for sustainable agriculture. This collaboration, involving the Ecuadorian government, small coffee producers, and local communities, implements BPA+ certified sustainable practices to protect forests and improve livelihoods. In Zamora Chinchipe and other regions, over 400 Amazonian families are benefiting from eco-friendly farming methods that open new market opportunities, particularly in preparation for the EUDR’s implementation in 2025. Ecuador’s efforts position it as a global leader in deforestation-free coffee production.
🌍Multi-Country: Deforestation-Free Rubber Supply Chains via GPSNR and Koltiva
(also relevant for section 2)
The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) launched a capacity-building initiative to support smallholder farmers in achieving deforestation-free compliance. With Koltiva as the implementing partner, the project successfully mapped over 4,000 rubber farmers and their farms in under a year, using the KoltiTrace platform. This platform enables full traceability from seed to tire, including geo-coordinates and land legality verification.
Source: https://sustainablenaturalrubber.org/capacity-building-projects/
🇨🇴Colombia: SAN Community-Based Monitoring
SAN’s case studies include a project on Community-Based Monitoring and Assurance Systems (CMAS) in Colombia. This initiative supports smallholders in meeting sustainability and traceability requirements, including those aligned with EUDR. The participatory approach empowers local communities to monitor land use and forest conservation, making it a strong model for inclusive compliance.
Source: https://www.sustainableagriculture.eco/case-studies-lp
🇺🇬Empowering Uganda’s Farmers Through Agroforestry and Carbon Markets
Uganda’s Solidaridad ECA–Acorn project empowers over 41,000 smallholders across ~23,800 ha to adopt agroforestry, avoid deforestation, and sequester carbon—securing carbon removal units (CRUs) via the digital Acorn platform. The initiative builds farmers’ capacity in sustainable land management, traceability, and climate resilience. Supported by Rabobank, the project integrates EUDR-aligned training and geospatial monitoring, preparing farmers for anti-deforestation compliance and helping them maintain access to regulated markets like the EU.
Source: https://acorn.rabobank.com/en/projects/solidaridad-eca-uganda/
🌍Profundo: Analysis of EUDR Compliance Costs
Profundo conducted a detailed analysis of the cost implications of EUDR compliance for producers and exporters. While not a traditional case study, the report provides valuable insights into how different actors—especially smallholders—are impacted by the regulation. It includes modeling of compliance costs across commodities like cocoa, coffee, and palm oil, and highlights the need for support mechanisms to avoid market exclusion.
Source: https://profundo.nl/projects/analysis-of-eudr-compliance-costs-/
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