The verdict in three sentences
A cooperative of 3,200 farmers selling to European buyers subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) must prove the origin of its beans online, not just promise it. The 2026 budget is 4,000,000 to 9,000,000 FCFA (about EUR 6,100 to 13,700) for a bilingual corporate website, plus 2,500,000 FCFA (about EUR 3,800) for a traceability page with a plot map, delivered in 8 to 12 weeks. The financial stakes far exceed this cost: traceable certified lots trade with premiums of 50 to 120 FCFA/kg (about EUR 0.08 to 0.18/kg).
What European buyers check before signing
With the EUDR due to apply at the end of December 2026 for large operators after postponement, importers and chocolate makers in Amsterdam and across Europe must show that the cocoa they buy does not come from land deforested after 31 December 2020, with plot geolocation. Their procurement teams therefore check the cooperative's website to judge its credibility: governance, certifications, number of mapped farmers, volumes, traceability system and available documents. A simple brochure site no longer answers these questions.
| Module | 2026 budget (FCFA) | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual FR/EN corporate site | 4,000,000 - 9,000,000 (EUR 6,100 - 13,700) | Governance, history, production areas, social programmes, news |
| Traceability page with plot map | +2,500,000 (EUR 3,800) | Aggregated interactive map, share of geolocated plots, collection method |
| Secure buyer portal | 1,500,000 - 3,000,000 (EUR 2,300 - 4,600) | Downloadable certificates, declarations, lot sheets, login access |
| Interactive impact report | 800,000 - 1,500,000 (EUR 1,200 - 2,300) | Key figures, schools, farmer income, reforestation |
| Secure hosting + CDN | 25,000 - 60,000 / month (EUR 38 - 91) | Fast access from Abidjan and Europe, backups |
| Maintenance and data updates | 75,000 - 150,000 / month (EUR 114 - 229) | Certificates and volumes refreshed each season |
How to show traceability without exposing farmers
The public map shows aggregated data: number of plots per sub-prefecture, total area, percentage geolocated, last update date. Precise polygons and farmer identities stay in the buyer portal or the traceability system, accessible only to contracted clients. This protects personal data, in line with Ivorian Law No. 2013-450 on personal data protection, while giving buyers the evidence they need.
| Information level | Public | Buyer portal | Internal control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of farmers and plots | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Geolocation rate (e.g. 92%) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Aggregated map by area | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GPS polygons per plot | No | Yes, per lot | Yes |
| Certificates and audit reports | Summary | Full download | Yes |
| Farmer identities | No | No | Yes |
8 to 12 week schedule
Weeks 1 to 3 are for collecting content, certificates and existing mapping data. Weeks 3 to 7 cover mock-ups, bilingual copywriting and map development. Weeks 7 to 10 are devoted to the buyer portal and testing, then go-live happens between week 10 and week 12 depending on data availability. Going live before the marketing season starts lets the cooperative use the site in negotiations.
Mini case study
Mr Kouassi, director of a 3,200-farmer cooperative in the Soubré region, is preparing a file for two Dutch buyers based in Amsterdam. He invests 9,500,000 FCFA (about EUR 14,500): bilingual site 5,500,000 FCFA, traceability page 2,500,000 FCFA, buyer portal 1,500,000 FCFA. Over one season, the cooperative sells 1,500 tonnes in traceable lots with an average premium of 80 FCFA/kg, i.e. 120,000,000 FCFA (about EUR 183,000) in premiums. If the site only helps secure 10% of these volumes, it generates 12,000,000 FCFA, more than its cost in the first season.
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FAQ
Is the website enough to prove EUDR compliance?
No, compliance relies on the traceability system, geolocation and the buyer's due diligence statements. The site makes this evidence accessible and credible, which often shortens the verification phase by several weeks.
Should every plot appear on a public map?
No, an aggregated map is enough for the public. Precise polygons go in the buyer portal, where each client only sees the lots that concern them.
Can the site connect to our traceability software?
Yes, if the software offers an export or an API. Automatic syncing of indicators usually costs an extra 1,000,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA (EUR 1,500 to 3,800).
Why a bilingual site?
Buyers in the Netherlands, Germany or Belgium work in English. The EN version represents about 25 to 30% of the copywriting budget and determines whether their compliance teams can read the file.
How long does a complete project take?
Count 8 to 12 weeks. The limiting factor is the availability of mapping data and up-to-date certificates, not development.
Let's scope your project. Share your number of farmers, certifications and target buyers, and we will price a bilingual corporate site with traceability and a buyer portal, indicative budget 6,500,000 to 12,000,000 FCFA (EUR 9,900 to 18,300), delivered in 8 to 12 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
