Of all EUDR requirements, geolocation data collection generates the most confusion among Brazilian producers, cooperatives, and exporters. The regulation requires geographic coordinates for each producing plot — but what format? What accuracy? Does the CAR record work?
Accepted Data Formats
- GeoJSON (preferred): open JSON-based format, widely supported by GIS software and digital platforms.
- Shapefile: geospatial industry standard. Must be projected in WGS84 (EPSG:4326) — not SIRGAS 2000.
- KML/KMZ: Google Earth format. Accepted but less robust for technical analysis.
- CSV coordinates: for plots under 4 ha, a spreadsheet with decimal latitude and longitude columns is sufficient.
Why WGS84 Is Mandatory
One of the most common errors: exporting CAR data in SIRGAS 2000 without reprojecting to WGS84. The EU information system and European buyer verification systems expect WGS84 decimal degrees as standard input.
The CAR as a Polygon Source: Strengths and Critical Limitations
Advantages: wide coverage, free download from SICAR, polygons already delimit properties. Critical limitations: CAR delimits the property, not the production area; suspended or cancelled CARs cannot be used as compliance documentation; overlap with IBAMA embargoes is a critical red flag.
What European Buyers Actually Verify
Leading European cacao buyers run automated spatial intersection scripts against submitted coordinates. They check: overlap with PRODES deforestation alerts, overlap with protected areas (WDPA), overlap with indigenous territories, and 2020 forest coverage (Global Forest Watch). Invalid, incomplete, or wrongly formatted coordinates trigger manual review — delaying payment and potentially resulting in contract cancellation.
Most Common Errors
- ❌ Providing only the municipality address — not geolocation, not accepted
- ❌ Using the full property polygon when only part is productive
- ❌ Coordinates in degrees-minutes-seconds without conversion
- ❌ Inverted lat/lng — Brazilian longitude runs from -30 to -75
- ✅ Correct: GeoJSON in WGS84, production area polygon, linked to CAR number and producer name