The verdict in three sentences
Under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the operator placing cocoa on the EU market must provide, for every lot, the coordinates of the origin plots and proof they were not deforested after 31 December 2020. An importer whose supplier cooperatives cannot link every kilo purchased to a geolocated plot cannot file its due diligence statement. Co-funding a traceability system at origin costs EUR 30,000 to 70,000 (FCFA 20 to 45 million), the equivalent of a few weeks of sustainability premiums on 9,000 tonnes.
What the importer needs from origin
| Requirement | What the cooperative must supply | Tool needed |
|---|---|---|
| Geolocation | GPS point for plots under 4 ha, polygon above | Offline mapping app |
| Deforestation-free | Comparison with 2020 forest cover maps | Satellite analysis, usually run by the importer |
| Farmer to plot link | Unique farmer ID, Conseil du Café-Cacao card | Member registry |
| Weighing to farmer link | Every purchase tied to a farmer and plot | Field weighing app |
| Mass balance | Volumes consistent with plot yields | Automatic check, alert above 800 kg per ha |
| Data transmission | File per lot for the due diligence statement | GeoJSON and spreadsheet export |
The consistency check is crucial: a farmer delivering 6 tonnes from 2 declared hectares signals cocoa of unknown origin, and the whole lot can be rejected.
2026 budget and phasing
| Item | Scope | Indicative budget |
|---|---|---|
| Farmer registry | 3,200 records, photos, IDs, sections | FCFA 3 to 6 million (EUR 4,600 to 9,100) |
| Plot mapping app | Offline GPS polygons on Android | FCFA 4 to 9 million (EUR 6,100 to 13,700) |
| Weighing and purchase app | Scale, receipt, payment, offline | FCFA 4 to 9 million (EUR 6,100 to 13,700) |
| Checks and mass balance | Yield alerts, duplicates | FCFA 3 to 7 million (EUR 4,600 to 10,700) |
| Importer exports and dashboards | GeoJSON per lot, premium tracking | FCFA 3 to 8 million (EUR 4,600 to 12,200) |
| Mobile payment to farmers | Premiums paid via Wave or Orange Money | FCFA 3 to 6 million (EUR 4,600 to 9,100) |
Field collection comes on top: 15 to 20 agents with smartphones at FCFA 120,000 each, for 3 to 4 months, to map 3,200 plots. The full project runs 4 to 6 months, starting with the most productive sections to secure the first lots of the main crop.
What makes the project succeed
Network coverage is weak in most farming camps: the app must work offline for several days and sync back in town. Weighing agents need 2 to 3 days of training. Finally, farmers must understand how their data is used: one session per section and written consent prevent refusals and tension. For the importer, contractually funding part of the system ties supply to compliant cooperatives for several seasons.
Mini case study
Sophie, sourcing director of a cocoa importer in Amsterdam, buys 9,000 tonnes a year from a San-Pédro cooperative with an average premium of FCFA 75 per kilo, or FCFA 675 million (about EUR 1.03 million) in premiums. Without EUDR-ready data, she would have to cut that volume by half and source elsewhere at a higher cost. The software at FCFA 32 million plus FCFA 18 million of field collection totals FCFA 50 million, about EUR 76,000: under 8% of the annual premium. Co-financing 50% costs her EUR 38,000 and secures 9,000 traceable tonnes.
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FAQ
Does every plot need a polygon?
The EUDR requires a polygon for plots above 4 hectares; below that, a GPS point suffices. In practice many operators ask for polygons everywhere, which adds 20 to 30% to mapping time.
Does the app work without network?
Yes, it stores weighings and mapping on the phone for up to 30 days and syncs as soon as 3G or Wi-Fi is available.
Who checks deforestation-free status?
The importer usually runs the satellite analysis from the polygons. The cooperative must deliver clean data: under 2% of plots duplicated or out of zone.
Can farmers be paid by mobile money?
Yes, the module pays premiums through Wave or Orange Money with a receipt tied to the weighing. Fees stay around 1% of the amount paid.
What does maintenance cost?
Plan FCFA 400,000 to 900,000 (EUR 610 to 1,370) per month for hosting, updates and support during the crop season.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of farmers, sections and tonnes in your supply base: we price an EUDR traceability system between EUR 30,000 and 70,000, delivered in 4 to 6 months. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33. Request a quote
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.
