The European Union's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set to come into force later this year, will force large companies to issue verifiable due diligence statements, demanding precise perimeter maps for plots larger than four hectares with coordinates to at least six decimal places. This sweeping mandate from Brussels extends its regulatory arm far beyond its borders, dictating terms for global agribusiness and, by extension, millions of farmers worldwide.
Singapore-based Olam Food Ingredients (ofi), a major supplier of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices, is already adapting its operations to comply. Roel van Poppel, ofi's chief sustainability officer, confirmed the company's systems are being aligned to meet these stringent environmental claims and broader farming goals. Ofi has committed to becoming “forest positive” by 2030, a target van Poppel describes as “much more stringent than deforestation-free.”
Brussels' Reach
The EUDR represents a significant transfer of regulatory power, compelling corporations to gather and submit granular data to a supranational authority. Ofi works directly with its 2.75 million farmer suppliers to establish physical land limits through in-field polygon mapping. It then monitors forest cover within these plots using satellite tools like Google Earth Engine and Global Forest Watch. Van Poppel expects that by the end of this year, ofi will provide its customers with “all relevant geolocation data, documentation, traceability” necessary for their EUDR applications. This means individual farmers' land data will be funneled directly into a system designed to satisfy Brussels.
The Data Harvest
Ofi's focus extends beyond mere deforestation monitoring; it encompasses the “long-term existence of its key supply chains” and “improving the productivity” of its farmer suppliers. These farmers, whose livelihoods are “increasingly strained by market volatility and climate impacts,” are now subject to extensive data collection. Ofi's agronomists, armed with data on soil growth, crop species, yield volumes, and even “farm dependents,” offer advice on farm inputs and planting practices. The company’s comprehensive Farmer Information System issues electronic devices to farmers, collecting data on a wide range of subjects, not just forest cover. This systematic data harvesting provides a holistic, centralized picture of supply chains, reducing manual compliance needs by over 70% for ofi.
Corporate Enforcers
The drive for a post-national regulatory order is further cemented by corporate collaboration. Ofi's AtSource platform, launched 8 years ago, already provides customers with farm-level data for regulatory and sustainability objectives. Five years ago, van Poppel advocated for an industry-wide tool for supplier data, leading to the creation of TRACT. This “one-stop platform” was founded by ofi alongside other global agribusiness giants: Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Louis Dreyfus. TRACT secured 18.6 million euros in Series A funding last year, solidifying its role as a key player in this new data-driven compliance regime. Van Poppel, who headed TRACT until stepping into his current CSO role 2 years ago, remains a board member.
Ofi's AI deployment is still in its early stages, and its mapping process hasn't yet covered many smaller farms or those in low-risk regions. However, the company is actively working on a volume traceability system to determine compliant versus non-compliant materials under official EUDR guidance. Van Poppel openly welcomes “more countries following the EU” in developing comprehensive deforestation-free requirements. He warns that a lack of standardization would lead to “data chaos,” stating, “If legislation or regulations that come into play can help create a common language and a level playing field, we would be massively supportive.” This statement clearly articulates the elite desire for a unified, supranational regulatory framework, further eroding national sovereignty in the name of “sustainability.”