What Happened
Millions of hectares of the Amazon rainforest are once again at risk of being legally deforested, according to a recent study. The potential increase in deforestation occurs because soy companies have ended their voluntary participation in the Amazon Soy Moratorium, a sectoral agreement that prohibited signatories from buying soy grown on land deforested after 2008.
Researchers found 9.1 million hectares of private forest, a total area of about three times the size of Belgium. Additionally, over 28 million hectares of public forests without clear purpose or protection may now face additional pressure from rural land speculation, where people buy and hold land to sell it later at a higher cost, and illegal conversion to agriculture.
Why This Matters
According to Tiago Reis, a conservation specialist at WWF-Brazil and co-author of the analysis, the positive impacts of the moratorium went beyond the direct prevention of soy-related deforestation. "[The Soy Moratorium] also prevented illegal deforestation, land speculation, social conflicts, and land conflicts," Reis told Mongabay Brazil reporter Lucas Berti.
The decision to abandon the soy moratorium was motivated by a new law affecting soy companies in Brazil. The Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries (Abiove) announced in January 2026 that it was withdrawing from the agreement. Abiove represents many of the largest grain trading companies operating in Brazil, including Cargill, ADM, Bunge, Louis Dreyfus Company, and COFCO International. Other companies not represented by Abiove, including Amaggi and Glencore, also left the agreement.
The Mechanism/Science Behind This
The Amazon Soy Moratorium was an innovative agreement aimed at reducing deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. The agreement was established in 2006 and has been renewed several times since then. However, with the exit of soy companies from the agreement, the risk of deforestation has increased significantly.
Rural land speculation is one of the main drivers of deforestation in the Amazon. People buy land to sell it later at a higher cost, leading to the expansion of agriculture and deforestation. Additionally, the lack of protection and clear purpose for public forests makes them vulnerable to illegal exploitation.
Broader Context
Deforestation in the Amazon is a critical problem that affects not only the environment but also local communities and the economy. The Amazon is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet and plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate.
The exit of soy companies from the Amazon Soy Moratorium is a significant setback in the fight against deforestation in the Amazon. However, it is essential to note that the moratorium was a voluntary agreement and that soy companies are not the only ones responsible for deforestation in the Amazon.
What Happens Next
With the exit of soy companies from the Amazon Soy Moratorium, it is likely that deforestation in the Amazon will increase significantly. However, it is crucial that Brazilian authorities and the international community take measures to protect the Amazon and prevent deforestation.
One of the main measures that can be taken is the implementation of effective public policies to protect public and private forests. Additionally, it is essential that soy companies and other companies operating in the Amazon adopt sustainable and responsible practices.
Conclusion
The end of the Amazon Soy Moratorium is an alert to the international community about the importance of protecting the Amazon and preventing deforestation. It is essential that Brazilian authorities and the international community take effective measures to protect the Amazon and ensure a sustainable future for future generations.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay.