Fairtrade’s Plot Insights gives cooperatives an edge in preparing for EU deforestation rules
The EUDR requires companies to ensure products entering the European market are free from deforestation and is scheduled to take effect from 30 December 2026, with implementation for micro and small enterprises beginning on June 30, 027
BONN, June 30, 2026 — Fairtrade International has launched Plot Insights, a new digital system designed to help coffee and cocoa cooperatives manage, analyse and securely share geolocation data as they prepare for increasing due diligence requirements, including the EU Deforestation Regulation [EUDR].
The EUDR requires companies to ensure products entering the European market are free from deforestation and is scheduled to take effect from 30 December 2026, with implementation for micro and small enterprises beginning on June 30, 027.
The launch marks a significant step towards a secure, consent-based approach to geolocation data management, enabling cooperatives to retain ownership and control of their data while streamlining information sharing with trade partners.
Under the EUDR, importers will be required to provide geolocation data for every plot supplying seven regulated commodities entering the EU, including coffee and cocoa, as part of their due diligence obligations.
“Farmers are having to adopt new digital tools and map farm plots, which is an expensive burden if they are to remain viable suppliers to the European market,” said Brenda Mariana Huerta García, Senior Advisor for Climate and Environment at Fairtrade International.
“With Plot Insights, Fairtrade coffee and cocoa cooperatives have access to a free platform to check the quality of their geolocation data, receive deforestation risk analysis from Satelligence and share data with buyers — all designed around the needs of cooperative businesses and supporting our environmental goals to prevent deforestation.”
Through Plot Insights, cooperatives can upload geolocation data and receive immediate feedback and visualisation of any data errors through analysis provided by nature technology company Satelligence.
Fairtrade’s partnership with Satelligence began in 2023 to support certified organisations in monitoring deforestation risks. The collaboration provides data on deforestation alerts in and around coffee and cocoa plots and identifies plots located within or close to protected areas.
That analysis is now integrated into Plot Insights, making the information more accessible and practical for cooperatives.
Using the deforestation risk analysis, cooperatives can take additional steps required under Fairtrade Standards, including developing risk mitigation plans. These may involve responding to deforestation alerts or implementing education and continuous monitoring programmes for plots located near protected areas.
From October, Plot Insights will also enable cooperatives to share geolocation data with European exporters and importers through Fairtrace, Fairtrade’s sales transaction platform.
Cooperatives will be able to select plots and attach the relevant geolocation data — automatically converted into a format aligned with EU requirements — to sales contracts created between the cooperative, exporter and importer.
Importers will then be able to download and use the information as part of their due diligence process and attach it to the declaration required for import.
Fairtrade’s three regional producer networks — Fairtrade Africa, the Network of Asia & Pacific Producers [NAPP], and the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fairtrade Small Producers and Workers [CLAC] — are currently supporting more than 800 Fairtrade-certified coffee and cocoa cooperatives in adopting Plot Insights ahead of EUDR implementation later this year.
Plot Insights is hosted within Unify, Fairtrade’s new centralised digital ecosystem that brings together multiple platforms under a single access point.
Fairtrade-certified producer organisations are the first stakeholders to access Unify, with additional systems and functions expected to be rolled out over the coming year. Fairtrade also plans to extend access to certified traders, retailers and brands sourcing Fairtrade products and ingredients.
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
