Story perspectives

Beef Production Drives 120 Million Acres of Deforestation

2/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

A Nature Food study finds beef production is the leading driver of global deforestation, with 120 million acres lost from 2001 to 2022, mainly in tropical regions such as the Amazon.
Maize and rice have larger deforestation footprints than cocoa or coffee, underscoring overlooked impacts in agricultural supply chains.
Global beef demand rises, especially in wealthier nations such as China, while experts urge reducing beef consumption to curb rainforest destruction.

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Story summary

A Nature Food study finds beef production is the leading driver of global deforestation, with 120 million acres lost from 2001 to 2022, mainly in tropical regions such as the Amazon.
Maize and rice have larger deforestation footprints than cocoa or coffee, underscoring overlooked impacts in agricultural supply chains.
Global beef demand rises, especially in wealthier nations such as China, while experts urge reducing beef consumption to curb rainforest destruction.