As the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) approaches its enforcement date, a new study shows that 97.21% of soybean farms in Mato Grosso - Brazil's leading soy-producing state - already meet the EU's deforestation-free and legal land use criteria.

This places Mato Grosso at the forefront of global compliance just months before the EUDR takes effect on December 31, 2025, barring imports of soy and other commodities linked to deforestation after the December 31, 2020 cutoff.

The findings are based on a comprehensive analysis by MosaiX, a Netherlands-based environmental data firm, which cross-referenced farm boundaries, legal land registrations, and protected area maps to assess every major soy operation in the state.

Mato Grosso, which grows approximately 27% of Brazil's total soybean output, plays a critical role in global agricultural trade. The state's high compliance is seen as a positive benchmark for other commodity-exporting regions, proving that large-scale agriculture can align with international environmental goals through strong monitoring, traceability, and legal enforcement.

Only 2.79% of farms were flagged as non-compliant, primarily due to post-2020 forest clearing, lack of clear land registration, or overlap with protected areas. These cases were concentrated in a few northern and northwestern districts, with no area considered "high risk" under the EUDR framework.

The report also highlights a significant reduction in deforestation within Mato Grosso. After peaking at nearly 500,000 hectares in 2020, annual deforestation dropped to about 200,000 hectares in 2023, reflecting coordinated efforts from both government and industry.

However, full EUDR compliance will require additional work, particularly in areas such as:

• Farm-to-port traceability in complex supply chains

• Continuous satellite monitoring to prevent new clearing

• Accelerated land registration for unregistered farms

MosaiX's Agriplot Due-Diligence System, developed in partnership with PT Inovasi Digital, is already in use by multiple stakeholders across the soy supply chain - from plantation operators and processors to biofuel producers and FMCG brands - to ensure compliance and streamline reporting.

This proactive approach to EUDR readiness positions Mato Grosso not only as a reliable supplier to the EU but also as a global leader in sustainable agriculture, showcasing how data-driven compliance can support trade, preserve forests, and strengthen rural economies.