Amazon deforestation driven more by domestic demand than by exports New study shows expansion of cattle ranching to meet growing domestic demand has contributed more than any other driver to deforestation in AmazonA study by the University of São Paulo shows that expansion of cattle ranching to meet growing domestic demand has contributed more than any other driver to the elimination or degradation of the Amazon’s original vegetation, followed by expanding croplands and urbanization. Based on this criterion, our study shows that 83.17% of deforestation was driven by demand from outside Amazonia and only 16.83% by demand from the region. Breaking down that 83.17%, we found that demand from other parts of Brazil accounted for 59.68% and foreign demand for 23.49%,” Haddad said. Of the 1.4 million hectares deforested to make way for cattle pasture, 61.63% responded directly or indirectly to domestic demand from outside the Amazon and 21.06% to foreign demand. Deforestation to make way for crops displayed a different pattern, with 58.38% responding to demand for exports and 41.62% to domestic demand,” Haddad said.