A Ton Is No Longer Just a Ton

In today’s rapidly shifting global trade environment, a ton of soybeans, pulp, sugar, cocoa, or coffee is no longer defined solely by its volume or origin. It’s increasingly defined by what you know about it  and what you can prove.

The past 18 months have brought an unprecedented convergence of regulatory pressure, market demands, and climate-driven disruption that are fundamentally reshaping how commodities are sourced, sold, and certified.

Procurement teams, especially those operating across Latin America and exporting to the EU, US, or Asia, are now operating in a world where every shipment must carry a digital passport, a verifiable chain of evidence showing that products are legal, sustainable, low-emission, and risk-assessed.

Key Shifts Driving the New Reality

1. Regulatory Overhaul

• EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) mandates traceability to the farm or plot level, banning imports linked to deforestation or land conversion.
  
  
• CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) is introducing carbon pricing at the border — and GHG emissions disclosure is now expected as a standard procurement deliverable.
  
  
• ISCC, FSC, RSPO, 2BSv, CORSIA and others are being harmonized across geographies with increasingly tight requirements for digital traceability and data validation.
  
  

 2. Trade and Certification are Going Digital

Gone are the days of PDFs and scanned certificates. Buyers and auditors demand real-time access to validated, tamper-proof data flows, not static paperwork.

Digital tokens, geospatial proofs, and dynamic compliance are fast becoming the new standard in audit workflows.

 3. Supply Chains Are No Longer Linear

With climate volatility, port congestion, and political instability, procurement teams must constantly evaluate alternative suppliers, regions, and routing options , all while ensuring compliance.
The ability to simulate disruptions and dynamically reallocate supply is now a strategic necessity.

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What Goes Into a Ton? – Dissecting the True Cost of Production and Export
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Brazilian Soybeans (1 ton FOB – Port of Santos)‍

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 Brazilian Pulp (1 ton FOB – Port of Paranaguá)

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So Why Does This Matter?

Because 5–10% of that total cost is spent just on compliance, traceability, and friction — often using outdated manual methods, siloed teams, or third-party verifiers.

And yet…

• Delays or rejections at customs due to non-compliance can add $20–40/ton in demurrage or lost margin.
• Missing certification (like EUDR or FSC) can mean discounts of 3–6% per ton, or even loss of access to markets.
• Inefficient routing or duplicate paperwork can increase logistics costs by $5–10/ton.
  
  
  

The Opportunity: Turning Traceability Into a Profit Engine

When Marvin’s traceability and certification stack is embedded in sourcing and logistics workflows, it can:

• Reduce compliance and audit costs by 60–70% (from $10–15/ton → $4–6/ton).
  
  
• Improve shipment acceptance and unlock price premiums of $8–12/ton in Europe and US.
  
  
• Enable carbon footprint tracking, allowing the same product to qualify for CBAM tax savings or low-carbon labels.
  
  
• Decrease internal miscommunication and delays, speeding up shipments and avoiding penalties and insurance risks.
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In net terms, that means:

A digitally traceable ton can be worth $20–30 more than a non-traceable one.

And in volatile markets, that’s often the difference between red and black on the procurement team’s balance sheet.

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Measurable Value per Ton

👉 Want to see how Marvin turns traceability into a competitive edge? Get a Demo