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According to a recent study published in Science Magazine, more than 90 percent of tropical deforestation is driven not by logging but by agriculture.

Because of the direct link between the destruction of the world’s ecosystems and climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has found that industrial agriculture is nearly as big a driver of climate change as the emissions of all planes, cars, trucks, trains, buses and ships in the world combined.

Agricultural products such as soy, palm oil, and beef are the primary drivers behind this deforestation. Soy cultivation, for example, is a significant contributor to deforestation in Brazil, where forests are cleared to make way for soy plantations. Similarly, in Southeast Asia, rainforests are being replaced with palm oil plantations to meet the global demand for palm oil, which is used in a wide range of consumer products.

As the largest agricultural company in the world, Cargill presents both the greatest opportunity and the greatest obstacle to removing nature’s destruction from the agricultural supply chain.

In short, industrial agriculture is driving the destruction of the world’s ecosystems, and Cargill is behind the wheel.

Although Cargill has promised to end deforestation practices for products in its supply chain, they have not yet fulfilled those commitments, and the company continues to invest in ports, trains, and other infrastructure in South America that will directly or indirectly destroy the forests and other ecosystems they have committed to save.

The Impact on Indigenous Communities

The destruction of the natural world driven by Cargill’s activities has had profound impacts on Indigenous communities living in these biodiverse ecosystems. In the Amazon and the Cerrado, Indigenous peoples who depend on the land for their livelihoods, culture, and way of life find themselves increasingly encroached upon by agricultural expansion.

The conversion of forests and other natural ecosystems to industrial plantations not only destroys the biodiversity these communities rely on but also leads to conflicts over land rights, as Indigenous lands are often taken over for agricultural use without consent or compensation. In Southeast Asia, similar patterns of land grabbing and environmental degradation have displaced local communities and threatened their ways of life.

Environmental and Climate Implications

Cargill’s destruction of forests and other ecosystems contributes significantly to global environmental and climate crises. The world’s last forests and other ecosystems, like the Cerrado, are crucial carbon sinks, and their destruction releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. The loss of biodiversity also has far-reaching implications for global ecological balance, affecting not only the species that inhabit these ecosystems but also global food security and water cycles.

A new study by Mighty Earth, through its Rapid Response deforestation monitoring program, has found nearly 60,000 hectares of recent deforestation in the Amazon and the Cerrado biomass between September and December 2023 alone, with links to the soy supply chains of the biggest traders, including Cargill.

Cargill has made various commitments to sustainability and deforestation-free supply chains. However, the company’s promises have not been implemented

New Land Isn’t Needed

If Cargill chose, it could lead the way to restoring land instead of clearing it, charting a path to a nature-positive food supply, and providing a living wage to its suppliers–forcing its competitors to do the same. It has been demonstrated time and again that there are already enough degraded and deforested lands—more than 1.5 billion acres (about 2/3 the size of the entire United States, including Alaska) —in Latin America to dramatically expand agricultural production without destroying forests or other intact ecosystems. ¹ ²

  1. Vergara, Walter et al., The Economic Case for Landscape Restoration in Latin America, World Resources Institute, October, 2016.
  2. Lomeli, Luciana Gallardo and James Anderson. “Restoring Degraded Land in Latin America Can Bring Billions in Economic Benefits,” World
    Resources Institute, October 2016.
Deforestation Evidence
Report

Promises to Keep

A Call on the Cargill-MacMillan Family to Ensure that Cargill Keeps its Commitment to End Deforestation and Land-Conversion in South America....
Media Articles

In Brazil’s Amazon, Cargill grain ports meet local resistance

As a land deal involving the US grains trader is investigated, forest communities say new ports threaten their rights and way of life
Media Articles

Cargill-MacMillan Family Refuses to Meet With Visiting Indigenous Leader

On October 12, Beka Munduruku, an Amazon Indigenous leader, traveled 4,000 miles to Wayzata, MN, to deliver a letter from the Munduruku people to the Cargill-MacMillan family, urging them to halt the destruction of their land. She was stopped by security in the parking lot and denied access, following the family's refusal to meet.
Media Articles

‘Our world hangs by a thread’: Indigenous activist asks US agri giant to stop destroying Amazon rainforest

Beka Saw Munduruku, 21, traveled 4,000 miles to deliver letter and confront family behind Cargill empire over what she says amounts to a litany of broken promises
Media Articles

Cargill Wants to Expand Its Destruction in the Amazon

Despite failing to meet legal requirements, the U.S.-based corporation operates two ports exporting soy from Pará. Now it wants to build a third. Though the project has not yet left the drawing board, the Public Prosecutor’s Office suspects the proposed site around the Abaetetuba islands was irregularly acquired
Media Articles

The Cargill-MacMillan Family Is Winning the Lottery but Losing the Planet

Twice in the last few weeks, people in the U.S. could buy a lottery ticket for a jackpot in excess of $1 billion. But the Cargill-MacMillan family doesn’t need to play, their company just earned them a cool $1 billion—on top of the estimated $65 billion they already have—and who knows how big the jackpot will be next year.
Media Articles

Stand.earth ‘names and shames’ Cargill and its heirs to keep deforestation promises

Last week, documents alleging the largest U.S. private company's involvement in global deforestation were delivered to a Minneapolis suburb office. The files, from Stand.earth, accompanied New York Times and Star-Tribune ads urging Cargill's owners to halt tropical forest destruction.
Report

A Grain of Truth

As plea to the Cargill-MacMillan family to show leadership by eliminating human rights abuses and the destruction of nature from Cargill’s supply chain....
Analysis

Analysis by Repórter Brasil

Repórter Brasil has been investigating Cargill’s activities in Brazil since 2003. This analysis is a summary of the history of grievances reported about Cargill in Brazil, with an emphasis on...
Media Articles

Grain trader Cargill faces legal challenge in US over Brazilian soya supply chain

The world’s largest grain trader, Cargill, is facing a first-ever legal challenge in the United States over its failure to remove deforestation and human rights abuses from its soya supply chain in Brazil.
Report

Sodrugestvo: Soy Trader Linked to Brazilian Deforestation, Russian Finances

"A sample of 73 soybean supplying farms to Aliança Agrícola do Cerrado shows 830 ha of native vegetation clearing between 2018-2022 in Brazil’s Amazon and Cerrado biomes. Aliança Agrícola do...
Report

Cargill, Amaggi and Cofco buy family soybeans with embargoed and set on fire in Mato Grosso

Repórter Brasil showed that Cargill and other agricultural traders bought soy from a family of farmers with interdicted and burned areas in Mato Grosso. The soybean production took place in...
Analysis

Collection of analyses by other organizations

Human rights abuses and the destruction of nature documented by various other organizations since 2014...
Investigation

The Trail of Destruction Caused by Soy in Brazil’s Cerrado

Issue #18 of Monitor shows how deforestation illegal and land conflicts caused by the expansion of soybeans in the Cerrado contaminate the production chain of large multinational trading companies responsible for...
Report

Global commodity traders are fuelling land conflicts in Brazil’s Cerrado

In November 2021, Global Witness’ research showed that Cargill operated businesses with soy producers involved in conflicts with small farmers in Correntina, western Bahia. This includes cases of intimidation, destruction...
Report

The Chain: Agropalma’s Owners Look to Sell While Company’s ESG Violations Rise

Several financial actors are assessing Agropalma since the owners signalized their interest in selling it. "Any parties interested in purchasing Agropalma will have to contend with allegations of ties to...
Report

The “green” Fuel That Drives Deforestation

A report by Repórter Brasil showed that Cargill imported, through its Belgian arm in October 2021, almost 5 million litres of biodiesel made with beef tallow linked to deforestation, produced...
Report

The Chain: Top Ten Deforesters Clear 8,100 Hectares on Oil Palm Concessions During 1H 2022, a Significant Increase Versus 2021

Cargill has trading links to one of the top 10 largest deforesters in Indonesia in 2022. "Sawit Rokan Semesta cleared 600 ha of forest during the first half of 2022" ...
Report

The Chain: Jhonlin Group’s Refining Company Goes Public to Raise Capital

"Around 11,900 ha were cleared within the group’s oil palm concessions between 2018 and 2020." Jhonlin Group is part of Cargill's supplier list. ...
Report

The Chain: Brasil Agro to Convert Over 10,000 Hectares of Cerrado Forest

A new development project in Bonito de Minas might put at risk 10,000 hectares of Cerrado vegetation. "On top of this, European financiers may face reputation risk. In the company’s...
Report

The Chain: Agropalma Faces Possible Legal, Reputational Risks from Health and Safety Violations, Conflict With Local Communities

"The Labor Court of Tucuruí (also located in Pará) ordered the company to pay just under 1 million reals (195,000 USD) for irregularities discovered during inspections by government officials...
Report

Agribusiness giant again linked to Amazon deforestation

A study by Unearthed and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism finds Cargill to be sourcing soya from cleared Amazon land in Mato Grosso state, Brazil, Fazenda Conquista.  The farm has...
Investigation

Cargill buys soybeans from a farm that cleared the Amazon and violates the sector’s pact

An investigation by Repórter Brasil showed that Cargill bought soy and corn from a farm in São José do Xingu (MT), also in the Amazon biome, which destroyed approximately 800...
Investigation

‘Soybean pirate’ grown in the Amazon accelerates deforestation and has the participation of agricultural giants

A joint investigation by Repórter Brasil, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Greenpeace showed a scheme to launder grains planted illegally in the north of Mato Grosso, allowing soybeans from...
Report

Palm Oil Production in Brazilian Amazon Threatens NDPE Commitments

Cargill is a relevant buyer from BBF. "Biopalma’s former owner, Brazilian mining company Vale, is linked to significant negative environmental and social impacts. Leading palm oil producer Biopalma was founded...
Report

Seeds of Conflict: How global commodity traders contribute to human rights abuses in Brazil’s soy sector

In November 2021, Global Witness’ research showed that Cargill operated businesses with soy producers involved in conflicts with small farmers in Correntina, western Bahia. This includes cases of intimidation, destruction...
Report

The Chain: Astra International’s Mine Expansion Threatens Forest and Astra Agro Lestari’s NDPE Supply Chain Access

Deforestation linked to mining project (20 hectares) found in a subsidiary of Astra Agro Lestari, a palm oil supplier to Cargill. ...
Report

The Chain: Embedded Soy in UK Consumer Brands ‘Contaminated’ by Cargill’s Forest Approach, Says Report

A report from TBIJ, Greenpeace Unearthed, ITV News, and the Daily Mirror. Cargill is buying soy from Group Scheffer, which "has been repeatedly linked to incidents of environmental damage on...
Report

Deforestation on Oil Palm Concessions Continued to Decline in First Half of 2021

"10 palm oil companies were responsible for approximately 5,000 hectares (ha) of forest clearing during the first six months of 2021 in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea." / "Around...
Report

The Chain: Active Fires Detected in SLC Agrícola’s Fazenda Perdizes Property in the Amazon

"In March 2021, SLC Agrícola stated that it will no longer convert new areas in all of its properties after the current year’s harvest season. SLC Agrícola’s prior commitment to...
Report

The Chain: Active Fires Detected in SLC Agrícola’s Fazenda Perdize Property in the Amazon

Dutch organisation AidEnvironment showed that Palmeira Farm, owned by the SLC Agrícola group, burned 4,700 hectares of Cerrado. The deforestation occurred legally, after environmental permits were issued. Reports produced by...
Report

The Chain: New Report Calls on Buyers of Forest-Risk Commodities to Strengthen NDPE Policies

"[The CRR report] highlights 133,000 hectares (ha) of deforestation since 2016 committed by 10 companies in the industrial tree sectors of Indonesia and Malaysia." Djarum is one of the companies...
Report

The Chain: Selangor State Agricultural Development Corporation Peat Clearing Risks Access to FMCG and Trader/Refiner Supply Chains

"The Indonesian plantation developer Djarum is the focus of a Forest Stewardship Council complaint over deforestation on its PT Fajar Surya Swadaya (FSS) and PT Silva Rimba Lestari (SRL) timber...
Report

Key Cerrado Deforesters in 2020 Linked to the Clearing of More Than 110,000 Hectares

Jhonlin Group is among the top 10 deforesters in Indonesia in 2020 and still is in Cargill's supplier list."SLC Agrícola ’s main customers are Cargill Agrícola S.A. (27.6 percent of...
Report

The Chain: Deforestation Driven by Oil Palm Falls to a Four-Year Low

"In 2021, PT Permata Sawit Mandiri cleared around 450 ha of forest, a reduction from the 2,000 ha detected in 2020." Permata Sawit Mandiri is a palm oil supplier to...
Report

The Chain: Repeat Offenders Continue to Clear Forests for Oil Palm in Southeast Asia

Marita Makmur Jaya, owned by the Peputra Group, cleared 2,100 ha of peat and peat forest in 2019. Peputra Group is Cargill's supplier. ...
Report

The Chain: Malaysia’s Sime Darby Plantation Banned From U.S. Markets Over Alleged Forced Labor Issues

Sime Darby is banned from any trading links to the US market over alleged forced labor issues. The company is in Cargill's supplier list. ...
Report

The Chain: French Retailers Strengthen Supplier Contracts to Mitigate Deforestation Risk in the Cerrado

As a development from the Cerrado manifesto, "Carrefour, Casino, Auchan, Lidl, Leclerc, Metro, Mousquetaires (owner of Intermarché), and Système U signed the agreement to prohibit soy sourced from recently deforested...
Report

The Chain: Continued Deforestation and Ownership Confusion in Fangiono Family-linked Groups

Report by Forest Peoples Programme. " around 100 ha of forest and peat have been cleared on three First Resources concessions this year [2020]. " / "FAP and CAA's subsidiaries...
Investigation

Soya linked to fires and deforestation in Brazil feeds chicken sold on the British high street

Investigation in collaboration with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, the Guardian, and ITV News shows soya linked to fires and deforestation in Brazil feeds chicken sold on the British high...
Report

The Chain: Wildfires Rage on SLC Agricola farm

FGV is in Cargill's list of suppliers. US Government issued "a Withhold Release Order (WRO) on palm oil products produced by Malaysian Felda Global Ventures (FGV) over concerns of alleged...
Report

The Chain: FGV Banned from Selling Products to the United States Due to Ongoing Labor Issues, Increasing Reputation Risk

FGV is in Cargill's list of suppliers. US Government issued "a Withhold Release Order (WRO) on palm oil products produced by Malaysian Felda Global Ventures (FGV) over concerns of alleged...
Report

The Chain: Sarawak State Government to Purchase TH Plantations’ Sarawak Concessions, but NDPE Supply Chain Not Guaranteed

Sarawak state government is likely a buyer of TH Plantations concession. "During 2012-15, TH Plantation’s landbank expanded, in line with its target of a 300,000 ha landbank by 2020. This...
Report

Update: United Malacca’s 60,000-Hectare Industrial Tree Plantation Development Risks Market Access, Raises Questions About Scope of NDPE Policy Implementation

"UMB has oil palm plantations in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah (Malaysia), and Central Kalimantan (Indonesia). Its landbank totals just under 45,000 ha." The new UMB development project remains unclear, while 55,000...
Report

The Chain: Record breaking year for Brazil soy exports drives deforestation and land insecurity in the Cerrado Biome

"For the major soy traders operating in Formosa do Rio Preto, such as Bunge, ALZ Grãos, and Cargill, continued links to deforestation, human rights abuses, and illegal activity heighten risks...
Report

The Chain: Cargill Subsidiary Cut Off From Grieg Seafood’s Green Bond Proceeds Over Deforestation

"Norwegian Grieg Seafood will not allow any funds from its Green Bond to be used to purchase feed supply from Cargill Aqua Nutrition, which is wholly owned by Cargill Inc."...
Report

The Chain: Pressure Grows on Traders, Investors to Take Action on Cerrado Deforestation at SLC Agrícola Farms

Brazilian soy producer SLC Agrícola continues to move forward with clearing land for cultivation despite increased attention on its operations in the Cerrado.. Cargill is one of the main buyers...
Report

The Chain: Brasil Agro’s String of New Farmland Acquisitions Signals Ongoing Land Speculation

"Brasil Agro, a publicly-traded farmland investor, has expanded its farmland holdings by 33,500 hectares (ha) in recent months. Native vegetation covers 11,915 ha of this area, and it may be...
Report

Deforestation for Agricultural Commodities a Driver of Fires in Brazil, Indonesia in 2019

In Brazil, companies such as JBS, Cargill and Bunge are exposed to a risk of fires in their supply chains. A large number of fires happened in areas close to...
Report

The Chain: SLC Agricola Moves Forward with Clearing 5,200 Hectares of Native Vegetation

"SLC Agricola, the largest listed soybean producer in Brazil, cleared a total of 5,200 hectares (ha) of native vegetation in the first quarter of 2020." Cargill is one of the...
Report

Bunge and Cargill buy soybeans contaminated by violence and deforestation’ from Agronegócio Estrondo,

Greenpeace research showed that Cargill buys grain from a large farm in Bahia involved in deforestation and intimidation of traditional communities, in a place where two local leaders had been...
Report

JJF Holding Land-Grabbing Case Intensifies Soy Traders’ Exposure to Cerrado Deforestation

"Bunge, ALZ Grãos and Cargill have warehouses operating inside the JJF Holdings’ area". JJF is one of the largest land grabbing cases in Brazil. ...
Report

The Chain: China’s Palm Oil Imports Surge Amid Global Trade Shifts, Potentially Challenging Zero-Deforestation Commitments

Indonesia is the second supplier of palm oil to China, "If China now starts importing significant crude palm oil volumes, that could be a major factor in the leakage market."...
Media Articles

Cargill says goal for ending forest destruction in Brazil will be missed

Cargill Inc. is putting up $30 million to fund new ideas for ending deforestation in Brazil, where the conflict between economic growth and environmental protection remains a global flash point.
Report

The Chain: SLC Agrícola Clears 1,355 Hectares of Cerrado Vegetation Despite Customers’ Zero-Deforestation Commitments

Clearance of 1,355 ha in SLC's properties in 2 months (between March and May 2019). Cargill represents 30.1 percent of SLC Agrícola sales. ...
Report

Brazilian State of Tocantins: A Hotspot for Cerrado Deforestation

"Soy sourced from Tocantins carries a high risk of being linked to legal and illegal deforestation. Case studies reveal that soy production in the municipalities Lagoa de Confusão and Campos...
Report

The Chain: Bewani Oil Palm Plantation Divestment Increases Risks of Continued Deforestation in Palm Oil Supply Chains

"[Bewani Oil Palm Plantation - BOPPL] had been responsible for approximately 20,000 ha of forest clearance since 2010, including almost 3,000 ha in 2018." Cargill has trading links to shadow...
Report

The Chain: NDPE Uptake Impacts List of Top 10 Deforesters in SE Asia

Ten growers in Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea were responsible for almost 35,000 hectares (ha) of deforestation in 2018, according to analysis by Chain Reaction Research (CRR)....
Report

The Chain: Brasil Agro Moves Forward with Deforestation at Chaparral

"Brasil Agro continues to clear land on its Chaparral farm in Correntina, a municipality in the Brazilian state of Bahia. In October and November, the company deforested a total of...
Report

Brasil Agro: 5,069 Hectares of Cerrado Forest at Imminent Risk

"Brasil Agro plans to clear 5,069 ha of remaining native vegetation on its Bahia farms by December 2018." / "Brasil Agro’s three current clients for its soy and corn produce...
Report

SLC Agrícola: Planned Deforestation Could Contradict Buyers’ ESG Policies

"SLC Agrícola has requested environmental licenses for clearing 16,938 ha of land." / "In 2017, SLC Agrícola’s main clients were Cargill Agrícola and Amaggi LD Commodities, which generated respectively 27.6...
Report

SLC Agrícola: Cerrado Deforestation Poses Risks to Revenue and Farmland Assets

From 2011 to 2017, SLC Agrícola cleared a total of 39,887 ha of land of its original vegetation. For over 30,000 ha, this vegetation is classified as Cerrado forest by...
Report

GAMA Plantation Faces Legal Risks from Peat Fires

Gama cleared 21,500 hectares of forest and peatland between 2015 and 2018. Cargill "had or has" trading links with the group....
Report

Philanthropist in São Paulo is accused of deaths and theft of land in the Northeast

A report by Repórter Brasil showed that a Cargill supplier with farms in Piauí and Maranhão is accused of illegally appropriating land, as well as being pointed out by small...
Report

Peasants of Serra do Centro

A number of studies have shown Cargill’s connection not only with deforestation, but also with the rise of land conflicts in the biome, where soy plantations have occupied the lands...
Report

The Chain: Bunge, Cargill, Others Fined for Brazilian Deforestation in Cerrado; Investors Push Bunge to Ban Deforestation-Linked Suppliers

"Ibama and federal prosecutors have fined Bunge, Cargill, ABC Indústria e Comércio SA, JJ Samar Agronegócios Eireli, and Uniggel Proteção de Plantas collectively USD 6.7 million for deforestation-related activities and...
Report

Cargill: Zero-Deforestation Approach Leaves Room for Land Clearing in Brazil’s Maranhão

Cargill’s approach to zero-deforestation supply chains still leaves room for ongoing land clearing by its suppliers in Maranhão. This could result in a number of business risks, including reputation risks...
Report

Brasil Agro – Cerrado Deforestation Could Reduce Farmland Value, Put Soy Revenue at Risk

"In 2016 three large companies formed 75 percent of its client base. These companies were Brenco, Cargill and Bunge." / "Between 2012-2017, Brasil Agro has deforested 21,690 hectare (ha) of...
Report

Chocolate’s Dark Secret

In report by Mighty Earth, Cargill is found to help drive the destruction of Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire’s forests— buying cocoa grown through the illegal clearing of protected forests and...
Report

Still At It: Major Soy Suppliers Caught in Continued Deforestation Linked to Fast Food, Supermarkets

Months after the deforestation was exposed, investigators re-visited the sites and found Cargill still driving deforestation. Between Cargill and Bunge, they had cleared the equivalent of 10,000 football fields for...
Report

Indonesian Palm Oil’s Stranded Assets – 10 Million Football Fields of Undevelopable Land

"Eagle High Plantations has an area of 33,694 ha under concession. After a report was published in 2015 that showed the clearing of 500 to 1,000 ha of HCS forest...
Report

2016 Sustainability Benchmark: Indonesian Palm Oil Growers

"In June 2015, the Indonesian NGO Greenomics released a report documenting destruction of forests in South Sorong district, West Papua. Greenomics found that BWPT’s subsidiary PT Varia Mitra Andalan cleared...
Report

The Ultimate Mystery Meat: Exposing the Secrets Behind Burger King and Global Meat Production

In report by Mighty Earth, Cargill found to be one of the two largest customers of industrial-scale deforestation in Bolivia.⁠ ...
Report

The Chain: Buyers paying more for CSPO and IPOP disbandedrom palm oil deforestation, APP’s historic commitment, and more

Cargill supports the dissolution of Indonesian Palm Oil Pledge, sustainability commitment signed by Indonesia's biggest palm oil refiners in 2014. ...
Media Articles

Palm oil firms ditch ‘no deforestation’ pact in Indonesia

Cargill ‘ditched’ a no-deforestation private agreement in Indonesia, saying the government’s recent efforts to strengthen its certification standards were sufficient.
Report

Cargill’s Supply Chain linked to Deforestation in Papua

In a Report by Greenomics Indonesia, Cargill is found to be purchasing palm oil linked to deforestation in Papua New Guinea...
Report

Fires in Indonesia Produce Worst Haze Since Last Summer

Cargill could be linked to fires in palm oil production areas in Indonesia. ...
Report

The Chain: Amaggi’s New Green Bond Prompts Questions on Deforestation Commitment

"Brazilian soy suppliers to the salmon industry, CJ Selecta, Caramuru, and Imcopa, announced commitments to a cut-off date of August 2020 to keep deforestation from entering their supply chains, putting...