5 Real-World EUDR Examples for Producers to Stay Compliant

EUDR examples for producers typically involve managing geolocation data, ensuring land-use legality, and generating Due Diligence Statements (DDS) for deforestation-free products. Producers sourcing from smallholders or operating across mixed EU and non-EU supply chains must adopt digital traceability tools to meet EUDR compliance efficiently. 

EUDR isn’t one-size-fits-all—and for producers, the risks are as real as the opportunities. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) sets a strict mandate: all relevant commodities entering the EU must be proven deforestation-free and legally produced after December 31, 2020. For producers—whether you’re a smallholder cocoa grower in Ghana, a soy farmer in Brazil, or a timber processor in Indonesia—this means aligning with traceability expectations like precise geo-coordinates, verified land legality, and submitting or supporting a Due Diligence Statement (DDS). 

But compliance is rarely uniform. Your obligations—and how difficult they are to meet—depend on your location, crop type, supplier network, and even your technical capacity to map plots or validate land rights. EUDR scenarios for producers vary widely, which is why a one-size-fits-all strategy often fails. Understanding your specific context is the first step in staying compliant—and competitive—in the EU market. 

Key Takeaways 

• Producers face diverse compliance challenges under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Real-world examples include cocoa cooperatives onboarding fragmented smallholders, timber producers validating post-2020 legality, and coffee exporters correcting mismatched geolocation data.  

• Each scenario demands geo-tagged farm plots, legal land documentation, and accurate Due Diligence Statements (DDS) to avoid shipment rejection and regulatory penalties. 

• TraceX streamlines EUDR compliance by enabling: Centralized farmer onboarding with geo-coordinates, batch DDS generation via mobile and offline tools, real-time alerts on non-compliance risks and seamless integration with EU TRACES and FSC systems 

What are the EUDR examples for Producers 

EUDR examples for producers refer to real-world compliance situations that vary based on location, commodity, farm size, and market destination. For example, a cocoa producer exporting to the EU must provide geo-coordinates of plots, legal land-use proof, and supply data for a Due Diligence Statement (DDS). A soy farmer selling to an exporter may need to share land data but not file the DDS directly. Scenarios differ depending on whether the producer is an upstream supplier or an operator, and whether the destination is within or outside the EU. 

Scenario 1: A Cocoa Cooperative Onboards 100+ Farmers for DDS Filing 

In the context of EUDR compliance, smallholder cocoa cooperatives face one of the most complex challenges—fragmented farmer networks and undocumented land ownership. Many farmers operate on informal agreements, making it hard to establish geo-legality or file accurate Due Diligence Statements (DDS). 

The Challenge 

• Over 100 smallholder farmers with varying land sizes. 

• No formalized KYC or digital land ownership proof. 

• Most plots are not geo-referenced, and mobile connectivity is poor in remote growing zones. 

The Solution 

The cooperative deploys a mobile-first traceability system equipped with: 

• Digital KYC onboarding to collect farmer identity and land consent. 

• Batch GPS mapping to record plot boundaries using offline-capable apps. 

• Satellite overlays for plot verification and forest history checks. 

The system centralizes farmer and land data, automating DDS generation at the batch level. Instead of filing 100+ DDSs, the cooperative consolidates data into one compliant, export-ready statement—reducing workload, error risk, and compliance lag. 

The cooperative isn’t just meeting EUDR requirements—it’s setting the foundation for long-term digital inclusion of smallholders. Beyond compliance, these farmers now have traceable land credentials that improve their bargaining power, unlock access to premium buyers, and support climate-smart agriculture programs. 

Want to learn more about EUDR compliance? 

Explore our expert blogs on: 

• How to File a DDS under EUDR—Step-by-Step 

• EUDR Compliance for Smallholder Farmers: A Practical Guide 

Scenario 2: Timber Producer Needs to Prove Post-2020 Logging Is Legal 

The EUDR sets a strict deforestation cutoff date of December 31, 2020, making it risky for timber producers who sourced from land cleared after this point. For such producers, the burden of proof is not just about legality—but about verifiable, timestamped, and geo-linked evidence that the operation qualifies under an exemption or reforestation clause. 

The Compliance Risk 

A timber producer operates on land that was cleared in early 2021. Even though the clearing was legally permitted and reforestation has occurred, EUDR compliance is now in question. Without documentation showing legal land use and forest management aligned with sustainability goals, their shipments risk rejection or audit escalation at EU ports. 

The Strategic Response 

• Land History Verification: Use forest registry data to establish whether the land was classified as forest pre-2021 and check for exemptions under national law. 

• Reforestation Proof: Submit geo-tagged satellite imagery showing afforestation or sustainable plantation forest use (e.g., with rotation plans). 

• Certification Support: Work toward or leverage FSC or PEFC certification to bolster credibility. These frameworks align with EUDR’s expectations and provide a chain-of-custody baseline. 

• Digital Recordkeeping: Store and timestamp this evidence on a traceability platform integrated with DDS generation tools, enabling real-time validation for EU buyers. 

This isn’t just a paperwork fix—it’s a chance to reposition timber supply chains from risk-prone to climate-aligned. By using certification and remote sensing together, the producer strengthens not only EUDR compliance but future-proofs exports for evolving climate and biodiversity frameworks (e.g., EU Green Deal, CBAM). It also signals environmental responsibility to B2B buyers increasingly focused on scope 3 risk. 

Scenario 3: Soy Exporter Sources from Mixed EU and Non-EU Suppliers 

For soy exporters sourcing from both EU-based and non-EU suppliers, the EUDR compliance challenge lies in managing a fragmented, multi-jurisdictional chain of custody. The risk isn’t just regulatory—it’s reputational and operational, especially when different suppliers follow different legal, sustainability, and traceability standards. 

The Compliance Risk 

When soy is aggregated from multiple sources, some from within the EU and others from countries with unknown deforestation risks, exporters must establish full traceability and legal clarity—even if some of that supply is technically “clean.” Under EUDR, one non-compliant batch can put the entire shipment at risk. 

Role Clarity: Operator vs Trader vs Supplier 

• Operator: The entity placing the product on the EU market (typically the exporter or importer). They must file the DDS. 

• Trader: EU-based entities that buy/sell without placing the product on the EU market. They must maintain records but don’t file DDS. 

• Upstream Suppliers: Non-EU producers or intermediaries who supply operators or traders. They may provide documentation, but not DDS. 

Smart Solutions 

• Centralized Supplier Data Collection: Use digital onboarding workflows to gather KYC, land legality documents, and geolocation data from both EU and non-EU sources. 

• DDS Reference Number Integration: Automatically match and validate upstream DDS references from EU suppliers to reduce duplication. 

• Batch-wise Traceability Mapping: Geo-tagged plot verification and QR-based tagging to separate high-risk from compliant supply. 

What seems like a logistical hassle is actually a strategic differentiation opportunity. A soy exporter that can digitally demonstrate granular, batch-wise provenance across diverse supply sources can position themselves as a low-risk, premium supplier—especially for buyers navigating ESG reporting and deforestation risk disclosures (e.g., under CSRD or CSDDD). 

Scenario 4: Coffee Buyer Rejects a Lot Due to Plot Location Mismatch 

In an EUDR-regulated world, even small data mismatches—like a wrong farmer name or incomplete polygon—can derail entire shipments. This scenario reflects a high-stakes compliance vulnerability for producers: Traceability isn’t just about having data—it’s about having the right data, everywhere. 

The Compliance Breakdown 

A coffee lot traced back to a polygon with mismatched coordinates or missing digital KYC (e.g., farmer ID not aligning with plot ownership) fails EUDR’s geo-verification requirement. For the buyer, it’s a red flag; for the producer, it means loss of revenue, trust, and market access. 

Fixing the Gap 

• Digital KYC Audit: Re-validate the farmer’s legal identity with verified documents and GPS-linked IDs. 

• Polygon Validation Tools: Use remote sensing overlays and draw/edit features to correct and re-map boundaries. 

• Data Harmonization: Ensure consistency between farmer profiles, land registry records, and plot coordinates across internal systems and what’s submitted in the DDS (Due Diligence Statement). 

This scenario is less about technical error—and more about the operational cost of fragmented systems. Many producers still rely on spreadsheets or disconnected databases, which break under the scrutiny of EUDR audits. 

A coffee exporter that embeds live, verifiable geospatial intelligence into their sourcing process not only reduces rejection risk—they also build a credible, defensible brand in sustainability-driven markets like the EU. 

This is where “compliance readiness” becomes a competitive edge. Plot-level accuracy is no longer optional—it’s the passport to market entry. 

Scenario 5: Paper Printer in Canada Sourcing From EU and Non-EU Mills 

EUDR Forces Non-EU Players to Think Like Operators 

The Core Compliance Question: Who files the DDS? 

If a Canadian paper printer is sourcing from mills (EU and non-EU) and selling printed products to publishers who export to the EU, they may be classified as an operator under EUDR Article 2—if they place a regulated product on the EU market. 

In this case, even though the printer is outside the EU, they carry legal accountability for ensuring that raw materials like pulp or paper are deforestation-free post-2020 and supported by evidence (geo-coordinates, legality proof). 

Action Plan for Compliance 

• Identify Role: Clarify whether you are placing the final product on the EU market (operator) or just supplying another company that does (trader). 

• Collect DDS References: Work with upstream suppliers to obtain Due Diligence Statement (DDS) reference numbers and legality documentation. 

• Use a Traceability Platform: Integrate these records—supplier profiles, geo-proof, certificates—into one centralized platform to generate or submit DDS if required. 

• Track Multi-Origin Inputs: Especially for mills sourcing wood/pulp from mixed geographies, chain-of-custody clarity is critical. 

This scenario underscores that geography doesn’t absolve responsibility. The EUDR reaches beyond EU borders—if your product touches EU soil, your compliance obligations are real. Canadian and U.S. processors must reverse-engineer their supply chains, validate origins, and maintain defensible traceability records, even if the raw material is EU-derived. 

For printers, this isn’t just risk mitigation—it’s a positioning advantage. Demonstrating EUDR-aligned sourcing can become a value-added service for global publishing clients concerned about deforestation disclosures. 

How Platforms Like TraceX Simplify These EUDR Scenarios 

EUDR Compliance Platform from  TraceX are purpose-built to handle the complexity of EUDR compliance across diverse sourcing scenarios—especially for producers working with multiple suppliers, fragmented farmer networks, or varying documentation maturity levels. 

Centralized Farmer and Plot Onboarding 

TraceX allows businesses to onboard hundreds of farmers with digital KYC, geo-tagged plots (point or polygon), and unique IDs. This streamlines traceability across commodities like cocoa, soy, coffee, or timber—even in regions with low digital infrastructure. 

See how a leading tire manufacturer tackled deforestation risks, geo-mapped its sourcing plots, and automated DDS filing to stay EU-ready. 

 [Read the full case study now] and discover how you can do the same. 

Offline Data Capture & Batch DDS Generation 

For smallholders in offline areas, TraceX enables mobile-first data collection—farmer details, land use records, and GPS coordinates. It then automatically compiles and generates Due Diligence Statements (DDS) in batch, saving operational time and reducing manual errors. 

Real-Time Risk Scoring and Compliance Alerts

Built-in deforestation risk scoring engines assess every plot’s post-2020 land use, using satellite overlays and public datasets. The system flags high-risk sources and sends proactive alerts—whether due to mismatched polygons, expired certifications, or land legality gaps. 

EU TRACES & FSC Integration 

TraceX integrates with EU TRACES (via API where available) and accepts documentation aligned with FSC, PEFC, and local forest registries. This ensures that users can easily submit valid, audit-ready DDS with the supporting proof needed for downstream validation. 

Why Scenario-Based Readiness Is the Smartest EUDR Strategy 

For producers, EUDR compliance isn’t theoretical—it’s operational. Whether you’re onboarding smallholders, sourcing across borders, or dealing with forest legality records, the best way to prepare is to anticipate and address real-world scenarios. Each example offers a tangible path forward: from digital KYC to traceability platforms that integrate seamlessly with EU systems like TRACES. The takeaway? A proactive, scenario-driven approach will not only reduce compliance risks but also unlock long-term market access and brand trust in deforestation-sensitive markets. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

If you’re unsure how the EUDR system works, what legality rights you must prove, or how to capture compliant geolocation data, you’re not alone. These are make-or-break pillars for staying eligible in EU markets. 

Explore our latest blogs to gain clarity on: 

• How the EUDR System Works: Roles, Responsibilities & Impact 

• Understanding Legality Rights in EUDR: What You Must Prove 

• Geolocation & Polygon Mapping Under EUDR: A Practical Guide