New analysis of Brazil’s largest soy-producing state has found that more than 97% of its soybean cultivation area already meets the European Union’s strict deforestation-free and legality standards under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The findings come from a comprehensive assessment by MosaiX, which examined every major soy farm in Mato Grosso to determine readiness for the EUDR - a law that will prohibit imports of commodities produced on land deforested after 31 December 2020 and require proof of compliance with local laws.

Mato Grosso accounts for around 27% of Brazil’s soybeans and 30% of its soy exports, making its compliance status critical for global soy supply chains. Long linked to deforestation, the state has faced intense scrutiny from policymakers, buyers, and environmental groups.

Using high-resolution satellite imagery, official land registry data, deforestation alert systems, and proprietary soy mapping tools, MosaiX cross-checked cultivation areas against three EUDR criteria:

1. No forest clearing after the December 2020 cutoff date

2. Valid legal registration of farmland

3. No overlap with protected forests or other legally restricted areas

The analysis found that 97.21% of Mato Grosso’s soy farmland is compliant, meaning no recent deforestation and full legal conformity. Just 2.79% was flagged as non-compliant, mostly due to post-2020 forest clearance, cultivation inside protected forests, or unclear land registration.

While deforestation in the state spiked to nearly 500,000 hectares in 2020 and remained high into 2022, it fell sharply in 2023 to about 200,000 hectares. This decline, combined with the high compliance rate, suggests that Mato Grosso is on track to meet EUDR standards across nearly all soy production.

Non-compliant plots are concentrated in a small number of northern and northwestern districts, such as Colniza and Aripuanã. MosaiX identified no districts classified as “high risk” overall.

The report notes that ensuring full compliance will require tackling a few persistent issues, including:

• Achieving full farm-to-port traceability in complex supply chains
  
  
• Maintaining continuous monitoring to prevent new deforestation
  
  
• Accelerating land registration for the small number of unregistered farms

EUDR, which will apply to soy imports from the end of 2025, was designed to reduce the EU’s role in global deforestation and biodiversity loss. Mato Grosso’s readiness offers a positive case study for other producing regions, showing that with robust monitoring, legal enforcement, and farmer engagement, large-scale agriculture can align with environmental protection goals.

MosaiX is a Netherlands-based company delivering innovative, sustainable solutions for a better future. We have long-established partnerships with some of the world’s leading FMCG brands, as well as companies across the supply chain, including plantation companies, processors, manufacturers, and even biofuel producers.

Our Agriplot Due-Diligence System, developed in partnership with PT Inovasi Digital, is already supporting a dozen companies in meeting the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR).

By combining satellite imagery, accurate land plot maps, and deep sector expertise, we turn complex environmental data into real-world insights. Our team empowers organisations to meet compliance, advance sustainability, and thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.