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The recently published analysis by Trase, presents crucial insights into how different EU member states are exposed to deforestation risks through their imports of key commodities. TRASE is an initiative that enhances transparency in global commodity supply chains by providing data and insights to address environmental impacts, such as deforestation.

As the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) comes into force at the end of 2024, the analysis becomes particularly relevant for logistics professionals seeking to assess their own exposure to the new regulatory requirements as well as national authorities tasked with EUDR implementation within the EU.

A comparison of factsheets reveals significant differences in deforestation exposure among EU countries, particularly when considering direct trade to the first point of import. The Netherlands, due to its major port in Rotterdam, had the highest direct deforestation exposure (69,500 ha on average from 2019 to 2021), far exceeding Spain (24,200 ha). In contrast, landlocked countries like Czechia (226 ha) and Austria (457 ha) had much lower exposure. However, when re-exports are considered, the Netherlands' exposure drops to 23,300 ha, while Austria's increases to 1,680 ha.

The commodities driving this deforestation also differ across countries; for instance, oil palm products are most significant for the Netherlands and Spain, while soy is crucial for Denmark and Romania, and cocoa for Belgium and Germany. These variations indicate that the demands of the EUDR will differ across member states, underscoring the need for shared learning and cooperation between countries.

A country-by-country breakdown is available within the analysis itself. You can access the full study and explore the country-specific data by visiting Trase´s website.