The verdict in three sentences
For a London-based cocoa exporter sourcing from a 3,000-farmer cooperative in Côte d'Ivoire, EUDR traceability software costs 15 to 45 million FCFA in 2026 (about 23,000 to 69,000 EUR), depending on integration with your own systems and the Conseil du Café-Cacao. The longest task is not the code but collecting plot polygons in the field, which everything else depends on. An exporter that cannot link each bag to a geolocated plot cannot file its due diligence statement for EU-bound volumes, and UK buyers increasingly ask for the same evidence.
What the regulation actually requires
Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 requires operators placing cocoa on the EU market to prove it does not come from land deforested after 31 December 2020 and that it was produced legally. The operator files a due diligence statement containing the coordinates of every plot, so it needs that data from its cooperatives. The application date has been postponed more than once: check the date in force, but most large buyers already require the data in 2026.
| Requirement | What the cooperative must supply | Expected format |
|---|---|---|
| Geolocation | GPS point for plots under 4 ha, polygon above | GeoJSON, 6 decimals |
| No deforestation | Plots checked against forest cover maps | Report per plot |
| Legality | Farmer identity, land rights or attestation | Farmer record |
| Lot traceability | Link between farm-gate purchase, lot and exported bag | Lot register |
| Retention | Data kept for 5 years | Backed-up database |
| Updates | New plots, farmer changes | Every season |
Software modules and their 2026 cost
A complete solution includes a mobile collection app that works with no signal in the bush, a web back office and exports for the exporter's compliance team.
| Module | Function | 2026 cost (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Offline collection app (Android) | Farmer record, photo, GPS polygon capture | 4 to 10 million |
| Mapping and checks | Plot display, overlap detection, forest alert | 3 to 9 million |
| Farm-gate purchasing by lot | Weighing, price, lot number, SMS receipt to farmer | 3 to 8 million |
| Bag and shipment management | Link lot to bag to bill of lading | 2 to 6 million |
| Declaration export | GeoJSON files and reports for the operator | 1.5 to 5 million |
| Cooperative dashboard | Share of plots mapped, traced volumes | 1.5 to 4 million |
| Training and field support | Training of field agents and warehouse staff | 1 to 3 million |
The low end (15 million FCFA, about 23,000 EUR) covers collection, mapping and export. The high end (45 million, about 69,000 EUR) adds lot purchasing, shipments, an API connection to the exporter's ERP and a multi-section dashboard.
Field costs, off-the-shelf tools and timeline
The software is useless without data. Budget for the mapping campaign, which is often underestimated.
| Item | 2026 range | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| GPS smartphones (20 units) | 2 to 3.6 million FCFA | 100,000 to 180,000 FCFA each |
| Mapping field agents (allowances) | 1,500 to 3,000 FCFA per plot | 3,000 plots: 4.5 to 9 million |
| Hosting and backup | 0.8 to 2 million FCFA / year | Server with daily backup |
| Software maintenance | 75,000 to 120,000 FCFA / month | Fixes and regulatory changes |
| Off-the-shelf traceability licence | 3,000 to 10,000 EUR / year | Less flexible, data sometimes held by vendor |
The realistic timeline is 4 to 6 months: 1 month of scoping with compliance teams, 2 to 3 months of development, then mapping, which starts as soon as the collection app is ready and progresses at about 30 to 50 plots per agent per week. With 15 agents, plan on 4 to 6 weeks for 3,000 plots.
Mini case study
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James, head of sourcing at a fictional London cocoa trader, buys about 4,500 tonnes per season from a cooperative near Soubré. He co-funds the cooperative's traceability system and pays a sustainability and traceability premium of 25 FCFA per kilo on compliant lots. Investment: software at 28 million FCFA, mapping at 7.5 million, smartphones at 2.8 million, so 38.3 million FCFA (about 58,400 EUR). If 80 % of the volume becomes traceable, 3,600 tonnes can enter the EU market under a valid due diligence statement. Losing that volume to a competitor with traceable supply would cost far more than the system, so the investment is covered in the first season.
FAQ
How much does EUDR traceability software cost in 2026?
Plan on 15 to 45 million FCFA (23,000 to 69,000 EUR) for a custom tool, excluding field mapping. Mapping 3,000 plots adds about 4.5 to 9 million FCFA.
Do all plots need a polygon?
No: a GPS point is enough for plots under 4 hectares, a polygon is required above that. Many buyers still ask for polygons everywhere to reduce their risk.
Does the app work without a signal?
Yes, it is essential in growing areas. Data is stored on the phone and synchronised as soon as the agent gets 3G, often at the section warehouse.
Why not use an off-the-shelf platform?
You can, at 3,000 to 10,000 EUR per year, but data may sit with the vendor and fit your process less well. A custom tool lets the cooperative serve several buyers and keeps the data under control.
How long until we are ready?
4 to 6 months in total, mapping included. Start at least 3 months before the main crop opens in October.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of farmers, sections and buyers involved: we will price the software, the offline app and the 4 to 6 month plan. 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.
