Soy is one of the world’s most versatile and widely cultivated crops, essential across numerous sectors, from human food to the animal industry. However, behind its rising demand lies a concerning reality: the massive use of soy for animal feed is significantly contributing to deforestation, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions like the Amazon.
In this “Here’s the data explained” section, we delve into the latest figures on soy usage and its environmental impact.
Global soy consumption: Animal feed vs Human food
Most of the world’s soy production is designated for animal feed. According to collected data, approximately 77% of global soy is used as livestock feed, while only 7% is allocated for direct human consumption in products like tofu, soy milk, and other plant-based foods. This distribution highlights a critical paradox in our food system: most cultivated soy does not directly feed people but rather animals raised for meat and dairy production.
The growing demand for soy in animal feed has driven the expansion of agricultural land, often at the expense of rainforests. The Amazon, one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots, is particularly at risk from deforestation to make room for new soy plantations. Forest loss not only reduces natural habitats for countless species but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, intensifying climate change.
The soy paradox: efficiency and sustainability
There is an inherent paradox in using soy for animal feed. Producing plant-based protein directly for human consumption is far more efficient and sustainable than using soy to produce meat. Converting plant protein into meat involves a significant loss of resources, such as water and land, alongside increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Read also: Plant-Based Proteins on the Rise: Pea Protein Leading the Market
