New Report Finds Swedish Coffee Consumption Habits Contribute More To Amazon Deforestation Than Beef – CoffeeTalk

The Amazon Footprint Report 2025 highlights the significant and evolving role of global consumption in driving deforestation, notably indicating that coffee has surpassed beef as the primary contributor to rainforest clearing in Sweden. Commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) with contributions from Chalmers University and the Stockholm Environment Institute, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the local and regional factors that underlie deforestation throughout the Amazon rainforest, along with the intricate connections to both local and global trade dynamics.

Researchers used satellite imagery to assess land use in the Amazon, correlating this data with agricultural production and trade flow information. The findings reveal that both domestic and international demands are major drivers of deforestation, with livestock farming expansion identified as the most significant factor, followed by soy production. In Sweden, the impact of coffee consumption on Amazon deforestation is particularly pronounced; recent estimates indicate it has contributed to the clearing of 331 hectares of rainforest, exceeding the deforestation caused by beef and soy.

Martin Persson, a contributing author to the report, emphasizes that while there has been considerable focus on soy and livestock, coffee’s role has often been overlooked. He notes that the figures used in the report provide an average impact and do not account for different sourcing practices, such as the consumption of sustainability-certified coffee, which may not contribute to deforestation.

The report further addresses the implications of the future EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will enhance traceability for products entering the EU from January 2026. This regulation aims to mitigate the trade of goods linked to deforestation and forest degradation by mandating that producers and importers ensure their products are deforestation-free.

Additionally, the report points to the staggering loss of 8.6 million hectares of rainforest from 2018 to 2022, emphasizing geographical variations in the drivers of deforestation. It notes the complexity of the issue, stating that while pasture expansion for meat production is prominent in Brazil, other crops like soy, palm oil, cocoa, and coffee play critical roles in areas such as Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.

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