Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
33% of South America's land area is covered by grasslands (UNCCD, 2024).
2.29 million km² of South America are savannas, between 8% and 10% of its global extension (UNCCD, 2024).
43 million cattle and 14 million sheep in intensive systems depend on pasture for their feed (UNCCD, 2024).
35% of the Brazilian territory is covered by the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes in the northwest of the country (UNCCD, 2024).
570 million livestock units exist, and more than 80% graze on pasture (UNCCD, 2024).
25% of the world's beef supply and 10% of the world's milk supply come from South America (UNCCD, 2024).
40% of South America's land area has been deforested, and the process continues (UNCCD, 2024).
1-4 million hectares of forests were lost annually between 2000 and 2010 due to intense conversion of dry and moist forests (UNCCD, 2024).
3 million hectares of forest were lost annually in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2015 and 2020, the second highest total in the world (UNCCD, 2024).
97 million hectares of rangeland expanded between 2001 and 2013, surpassing the expansion of cropland (44 million hectares) (UNCCD, 2024).