Climate

Amazon mapping shows cacao expansion without deforestation in Brazil

Read full article at source ↗

Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 05/11/2026, 21:39:24 UTC.

Briefings

A 2026 study by Embrapa reveals that cacao expansion in Brazil's Pará and Rondônia states occurred on previously cleared land, not new deforestation. Mapping shows a 33% increase in cacao area from 2022 to 2024, with 96% of Pará and 98% of Rondônia cacao located on land deforested before 2020. The study notes a shift from agroforestry to full-sun monocultures, though specific yield impacts remain unmeasured. This finding suggests compliance with EU sustainability rules, potentially boosting Brazil's export potential.

Key points

• Cacao expansion in Pará and Rondônia states occurred on previously cleared land, with 96% of Pará and 98% of Rondônia cacao located on land deforested before 2020.
• Mapping indicates a 33% increase in cacao area from 2022 to 2024, with a shift from agroforestry to full-sun monocultures.

Context

This research by Embrapa, Brazil's state-run agricultural research agency, tracks cacao expansion using TerraClass data from INPE. It highlights a shift from agroforestry to monocultures and suggests compliance with EU sustainability regulations, potentially strengthening Brazil's export position.

Limitations

The study covers only Pará and Rondônia states. Specific yield impacts from monoculture shifts remain unmeasured. The article was originally published on Mongabay, and the study is based on 2022-2024 mapping data.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 05/11/2026, 23:20:04 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

View archived briefing on IPFS
bafybeibcyr2leux2obz4zzjfsyps73rmyxbb5gczkrju4gexb5fkv3ac2u