Nearly half of the world’s agricultural deforestation is linked to beef production. The figure emerges from one of the most comprehensive analyses ever conducted on the subject, conducted by Chalmers University of Technology and based on more than two decades of satellite observations and agricultural statistics. A work that returns an accurate picture: the expansion of pasture and feed crops remains the main pressure on forests.
From 2001 to 2022, more than 120 million hectares of forest (nearly four times the area of Italy) were lost to make way for agriculture, with emissions exceeding 41 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent. The largest share of this transformation is attributed precisely to cattle farming.
Where forests are lost
The phenomenon is mainly concentrated in tropical areas, where forests have high carbon density and biodiversity. Brazil leads the global ranking: it alone accounts for about one-third of the deforestation recorded during the period analyzed. The advance of grazing continues to reshape the landscape, with obvious effects on the Amazon and Cerrado.
In these regions, forest conversion often occurs irreversibly. Soils are put to low-productivity agricultural uses, while the capacity to absorb carbon and sustain complex ecosystems is drastically reduced.
The role of domestic demand
A significant part of deforestation is linked to domestic markets in producing countries. Growth in domestic consumption of meat and agricultural products contributes directly to the expansion of cropland and pastureland.
This element broadens the scope of responsibilities. Local dynamics affect as much as international trade, necessitating an approach involving agricultural policies, land use planning, and consumption patterns.
The other supply chains
Palm oil, soybean, corn and rice contribute lower percentages to deforestation, 9%, 5% and 4%, respectively. Staple crops, while less visible in the public debate, have a widespread impact globally because they are linked to everyday food. Their growing weight reflects the increase in global food demand. At the same time, it highlights how complex it is to reduce pressure on forests without compromising food security.
Climate impacts
Agricultural deforestation accounts for about 5 percent of global CO₂ emissions. The contribution is significant because it results from the loss of ecosystems that store carbon over long timescales. Once converted, forests are unlikely to recover their original functions in time frames compatible with climate goals. Emissions associated with cattle ranching are particularly high, both because of the size of the areas involved and because of the nature of the ecosystems converted.
A decisive lever
Intervening on the beef supply chain means acting on the most significant segment of agricultural deforestation. Possible strategies include more efficient pasture management, restoration of degraded areas, and a reduction in overall demand pressure. The picture that emerges from the study is stark: without a change in the trajectory of beef farming, forest loss will continue to be a structural component of the global food system.
