The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR, Regulation EU 2023/1115) mandates that companies placing specific commodities on the EU market must prove those products have not contributed to deforestation or forest degradation after December 31, 2020. The regulation covers cocoa, cattle, soya, palm oil, coffee, wood, rubber, and their derived products.
Which Commodities Are in Scope?
- Cocoa and derived products (chocolate, cocoa butter, cocoa powder)
- Palm oil and its derivatives (oleochemicals, cosmetics)
- Soya beans and soya-derived products
- Coffee, wood, cattle, and rubber (also in scope but less relevant to Nigerian origin)
What Exporters Must Provide
Under EUDR, EU importers (operators) must submit a due diligence statement to the EU Information System before placing goods on the EU market. This requires exporters to supply geo-location data of the plots of land where the commodity was produced, evidence that production did not occur on land deforested after December 31, 2020, and compliance with source country legislation including land use rights and environmental laws.
"The documentation burden is significant, but for Nigerian cocoa and palm oil exporters operating on established farmland, not recently cleared forest, meeting EUDR requirements is entirely achievable with proper supply chain traceability systems."
How Terannoval Addresses EUDR Compliance
Terannoval works exclusively with farming cooperatives and estates that operate on land with documented tenure histories predating December 2020. We are implementing GPS polygon mapping of all contracted farm plots and maintaining satellite imagery audit trails through our supply chain verification partner to produce compliant due diligence documentation for our EU buyers.
Request a Supply Chain Traceability Statement from your Nigerian exporter before issuing any purchase order for cocoa, palm oil, or soya destined for the EU market. Non-compliant shipments risk seizure at port of entry and significant fines for the EU operator of record.
Timeline and Enforcement
Large EU operators were required to comply from December 30, 2024. Small and micro enterprises have until June 30, 2026. Enforcement competence lies with EU member state authorities, with penalties including confiscation of goods, exclusion from public procurement, and fines of at least 4% of annual EU turnover.
The Terannoval Trade Desk produces market intelligence, trade guides, and regulatory updates to help global commodity buyers navigate West African agricultural sourcing with confidence.