In the complex world of agri-commodities, traceability is no longer just an aspiration—it’s a necessity. From regulatory compliance to sustainability commitments and consumer expectations, companies operating in cocoa, coffee, rubber, and palm oil must now prove where their products come from and under what conditions they were produced.
This article is the fourth installment in our five-part series on the future of traceability in agri-commodities. Having explored the state of first-mile traceability, regulatory pressures, and the impact of traceability on key commodities, we now turn to real-world applications. How are leading companies implementing traceability solutions? What lessons can be learned from their successes?
By looking at Cargill, Compañía Nacional de Chocolates (CNCh), Rubberway, Tata Coffee, and GCB Cocoa, we see how global players are integrating traceability into their supply chains—leveraging digital tools like Farmforce to ensure compliance, improve efficiency, and enhance sustainability.
Cargill: Scaling Traceability in Cocoa with Digital Innovation
Cargill has been a key player in advancing traceability efforts across its supply chain as one of the world’s largest cocoa traders and processors. With EUDR compliance and growing consumer demand for sustainable chocolate, the company has expanded its digital traceability capabilities to ensure that cocoa is sourced ethically and transparently.
Cargill’s work in West Africa, where most of the world’s cocoa is grown, highlights the need for real-time farm-level data collection. Through Farmforce Origin, Cargill has been able to:
- Map cocoa farms to ensure compliance with deforestation-free requirements
- Track cocoa deliveries from individual farms to ensure transparency in sourcing
- Monitor social and environmental conditions to improve farmer livelihoods
A spokesperson from Cargill recently stated:
“Traceability is the foundation of our sustainability efforts. Without knowing where our cocoa comes from, we cannot ensure that it meets the environmental and social standards our customers expect.”
Through Farmforce Orbit, Cargill also monitors sustainability programs at scale, tracking compliance metrics across multiple countries.
Compañía Nacional de Chocolates (CNCh): Strengthening Zero-Deforestation Cocoa in Colombia
Colombia’s Compañía Nacional de Chocolates (CNCh) has long been a leader in sustainable cocoa sourcing. In 2024, CNCh launched its Traceability and Zero Deforestation Program (PTCD), a groundbreaking initiative designed to meet the demands of EUDR and other global sustainability regulations.
Through its partnership with Farmforce, CNCh has:
- Registered over 4,500 cocoa farmers across 70 cooperatives
- Implemented GPS mapping to ensure that cocoa is not sourced from deforested areas
- Integrated Human Rights Monitoring and Remediation Surveys to address social risks
According to CNCh:
“With Farmforce as our strategic partner, we are taking traceability to the next level—not just for compliance, but to ensure that our cocoa is truly sustainable.”
As the first major traceability initiative a Latin American producer led, CNCh’s work showcases how origin-based traceability efforts are gaining traction outside West Africa.
Rubberway: Building a More Transparent Rubber Industry
Natural rubber has long lagged behind other commodities in traceability efforts, which is changing thanks to initiatives like Rubberway. Launched as a partnership between Michelin and major rubber producers, Rubberway is a traceability and risk assessment platform for the global rubber supply chain.
By integrating Farmforce’s first-mile data collection tools, Rubberway has been able to:
- Digitally map rubber-producing areas in Southeast Asia and Africa
- Assess environmental risks such as deforestation and biodiversity loss
- Ensure compliance with sustainability requirements for major tire manufacturers
A recent Rubberway report emphasized the need for supply chain visibility:
“The rubber industry is at a turning point. We need traceability not just for compliance, but to build a more resilient, sustainable supply chain.”
With mounting pressure from regulatory bodies like the EU and the US, traceability will soon be a non-negotiable requirement for rubber buyers worldwide.
Tata Coffee: Combining Traceability and Quality in India
India’s Tata Coffee, a subsidiary of Tata Consumer Products Limited, is proving that traceability can be a tool for both sustainability and product quality. As a leading coffee exporter, Tata Coffee sources beans from across India, supplying major global buyers.
Through Farmforce, Tata Coffee has digitized its first-mile traceability process, ensuring that coffee meets EUDR requirements and quality standards. Their approach includes:
- Geo-mapping farms to verify deforestation-free sourcing
- Monitoring social conditions to ensure ethical labor practices
- Tracking coffee bean quality from farm to export
A Tata Coffee executive shared:
“Traceability is more than a compliance tool—it’s a competitive advantage. Our customers want to know exactly where their coffee comes from and how it was grown.”
By integrating traceability with quality control, Tata Coffee has strengthened its relationships with buyers and positioned itself as a leader in sustainable coffee production.
GCB Cocoa: Enhancing Traceability
As one of the largest cocoa processors in Asia, GCB Cocoa is a major supplier to chocolate brands across the globe. Headquartered in Malaysia, the company sources cocoa from multiple origins, including West Africa and Southeast Asia.
With EUDR compliance looming, GCB Cocoa has partnered with Farmforce to implement traceability solutions across its supply chain. The company is using Farmforce Origin and Orbit to:
- Digitally track cocoa beans from farm to factory
- Ensure compliance with deforestation-free regulations
- Improve supply chain transparency for global customers
According to GCB Cocoa:
“In today’s cocoa market, traceability is non-negotiable. Our customers demand it, and our business depends on it.”
As a key supplier to major chocolate brands, GCB Cocoa is at the forefront of Asia’s push toward transparent, sustainable cocoa sourcing.
Lessons from Industry Leaders: Why Traceability Matters
Leading companies across cocoa, coffee, rubber, and palm oil are proving that traceability is more than just a regulatory checkbox—it’s a strategic investment. The case studies of Cargill, CNCh, Rubberway, Tata Coffee, and GCB Cocoa highlight key lessons:
- Regulatory Compliance is Driving Adoption – Companies that fail to implement traceability risk losing access to critical markets.
- Digital Tools Are the Backbone of First-Mile Traceability – From GPS mapping to data-driven risk assessments, technology is making traceability scalable.
- Transparency Builds Consumer Trust and Market Access – Buyers increasingly prioritize suppliers with verified, traceable supply chains.
- Traceability Creates Competitive Advantage – Companies investing in traceability strengthen their market position and long-term resilience.
At Farmforce, we are proud to support industry leaders in navigating traceability challenges and turning compliance into opportunity.
