Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Brazil's Soy Expansion Faces Climate Risks
Brazil grows a lot of soybeans, which is good for the economy but bad for the environment.
They've been using more land for soy, but the plants aren't growing as well because of droughts and climate change.
This is causing problems like deforestation, soil erosion, and harm to local communities.
Brazil needs to find a way to grow soy without hurting the environment, and other countries like India can learn from Brazil's experiences to make their own farming more sustainable.
Brazil is the world's largest soybean producer, with 152 million tonnes produced in 2023, generating $53 billion in export revenue.
Soybean acreage expanded from 37.2 to 41.2 million hectares between 2020 and 2022, leading to increased deforestation.
Despite expansion, Brazil lost 14 million tonnes of soy due to La Niña droughts, highlighting climate risks.
Soy expansion is displacing cattle pasture and converting native vegetation, particularly in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes.
Brazil faces a choice between continued expansion and sustainable intensification to avoid long-term productivity losses and environmental damage.
- Who
- Brazil, the world's largest soybean producer and exporter
- What
- Expansion of soybean cultivation leading to environmental degradation and climate risks
- When
- Between 2020 and 2022, with ongoing concerns
- Where
- Primarily in the Amazon and the Cerrado biome in Brazil
- Why
- High global demand, particularly from China, and weakened regulatory measures
- Soybean Production (2023)
- 152 million tonnes
- Soybean Exports (2023)
- 127.3 million tonnes
- Export Revenue (2023)
- $53 billion (16% of total)
- Soy Acreage (2020-2022)
- 37.2 to 41.2 million hectares
- Soy-Linked Deforestation (2020-2022)
- 6,35,000 to 7,94,000 hectares
- Yield Loss (2022)
- 14 million tonnes due to La Niña droughts
- Pasture Land Lost (2008-2018)
- 19 million hectares to cropland
- Amazon Vegetation Converted (2008-2018)
- 4.2 million hectares to pasture