Brazil Cut Deforestation in 2025, but the Cerrado Still Leads

BRAZIL · ENVIRONMENT

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 — 03:00 BRT — By Sofia Gabriela Martinez

Brazil cut deforestation by about a fifth in 2025, but Cerrado deforestation kept the savanna the country’s most-cleared biome for a third year, according to a new report.

What the New Report Shows

The figures come from MapBiomas, a research network that tracks land use across Brazil, in its annual deforestation report released Tuesday. It found that the area cleared nationwide fell roughly 20% in 2025 from the year before. That extends a recent downward trend.

The headline number still masks heavy losses. By the report’s measure, Brazil lost native vegetation equal to about 17 Ibirapuera parks, a large green space in Sao Paulo, every single day. The pace of clearing has eased, but it has not stopped.

Why the Cerrado Deforestation Persists

The Cerrado is Brazil’s tropical savanna and a major grain and cattle frontier. For a third year running, it lost more vegetation than the Amazon. Most of that clearing sits on private farmland.

A big reason is the law. Under Brazil’s Forest Code, landowners in the Cerrado can legally clear far more of their property than in the Amazon. That makes much of the loss authorized, and harder to halt through enforcement alone.

What Is Driving the Decline

The government credits tighter enforcement, new fire-control rules and plans to curb clearing in every biome. Officials have framed the 2025 drop as the result of policy rather than luck. Independent monitors broadly agree the trend is real.

Still, the Cerrado’s status is a warning. Because so much clearing is licensed, lower numbers can reverse quickly if commodity prices rise. Campaigners want stronger protection for the savanna, which stores carbon and feeds many of the country’s rivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did deforestation really fall?

Yes. The annual report found the cleared area nationwide dropped about 20% in 2025, continuing a recent decline. But the total lost remained large.

Why is the Cerrado the worst-hit?

It is Brazil’s main farming frontier, and the Forest Code lets landowners there clear far more land than in the Amazon. Most of its deforestation is on private, often licensed, property.

Why does it matter beyond Brazil?

The Cerrado supplies much of the world’s soy and beef and stores large amounts of carbon. Its health affects global food supply and climate targets alike.

Connected Coverage

For more on Brazil’s land and resources, see The Rio Times on the country’s mining sector and on its farm-driven trade surplus.