How Forest Product Exporters Can Gain Market Share Amid Global Unpreparedness for EUDR

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is poised to reshape the global forest product supply chain. However, as the implementation date gets closer and closer, many exporting countries aren’t ready. This unpreparedness could create a shift in trade flows, opening the door for compliant producers – particularly in the US and Canada – to gain significant market share in the EU.  

Compliance Gap Becomes a Key Risk for Global Wood Exporters 

According to recent reporting from Wood Central, global supply chains remain “alarmingly unprepared” for the EUDR. Many suppliers across Latin America, Asia, and Africa lack the traceability infrastructure necessary to comply. This is corroborated by a Forbes analysis showing that just 30% of upstream and a mere 12% of downstream companies have traceability systems in place. As enforcement begins at the end of 2025, a massive compliance shortfall threatens billions in trade.  

The fallout is already being projected as:  

• EU imports from high-risk countries could drop by 25-38% due to non-compliance.  

• Exporters may exit the EU market entirely rather than create costly, dual supply chains.  

• EU buyers will prioritize transparent, low-deforestation sources with robust documentation 

Compliance Creates Opportunity 

The global shortfall in EUDR preparedness is more than a compliance concern—it’s a market-opening moment. As many international suppliers struggle to meet the EU’s strict sustainability and traceability standards, well-prepared exporters have a unique opportunity to step in. US companies that have already adopted robust traceability systems and due diligence practices are ideally positioned to fill urgent supply gaps.  

Backed by a strong track record in sustainable forest management and classified as a low-deforestation risk region, North America is emerging as a reliable alternative for EU buyers seeking stability and transparency. Here’s why:  

• Low Complexity, High Documentation: EU buyers will favor sources with clear chain-of-custody records and strong regulatory alignment.  

• Stable, Trusted Markets: North America offers legal clarity, lower compliance risk, and consistent enforcement – features that are critical under EUDR.  

• First Movers Advantage: Exporters that are already EUDR-compliant can quickly capture new EU demand.  

By taking proactive steps now, North American companies that are EUDR-compliant can shift from simply preserving market share to actively expanding it.  

How Forest Trackt Helps You Seize This Opportunity 

At ResourceWise, we’ve built Forest Trackt to solve the exact challenges posed by the EUDR. Our solution enables exporters to meet the regulation’s strict traceability and due diligence requirements with ease – tracking forest origin, supply chain events, geolocation data, and risk assessments all in one platform.  

But Forest Trackt goes further. It turns EUDR compliance into a competitive edge. While others are struggling to adapt to the regulation, companies who have used Forest Trackt are already compliant with the EU’s strictest sustainability standards. They can then offer a stable, transparent supply chain with full traceability. This makes them an attractive partner to European companies also looking to meet EUDR requirements.  

Key Advantages of Forest Tract:  

• Seamless Data Aggregation: Collect and unify data from diverse sources—including forest plot boundaries, sourcing locations, and supply chain partners—to create a centralized compliance record. 

• Precision Geolocation & Risk Assessment: Forest Trackt uses geospatial mapping to define harvesting areas, flag deforestation risk zones, and verify compliance with EUDR geolocation requirements. 

• Customizable Dashboards & Alerts: Monitor supply chain activity in real time with dashboards tailored to your business. Set up alerts for missing or incomplete data to avoid non-compliance. 

• Built for Scale and Simplicity: Whether you’re a single mill or a multinational exporter, Forest Trackt is scalable and easy to integrate into your existing systems, reducing friction for you and your partners. 

The Bottom Line 

The EUDR is not just a regulatory hurdle—it’s a market filter. As countries struggle to meet the EU’s new requirements, prepared suppliers like those in the U.S. and Canada have a chance to lead. Forest Trackt not only makes you EUDR compliant—it positions you to gain sales, strengthen relationships with EU buyers, and grow sustainably. 

To learn more about the latest trends in EUDR compliance, the role of transparency in global supply chains, and how tools like ResourceWise's Forest Trackt and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative's (SFI) certification program can help organizations meet regulatory demands, download our on-demand webinar.