There is a lack of sustainability in Brazil's planted forests.​

The latest Brazilian forestry report released by IBGE in October 2023 points to a timid growth of 8 thousand hectares of planted forests in Brazil. It is an insufficient increase considering that in 2020, the same IBGE report reported 9.62 million hectares. In 2021 it was reduced to 9.46 million hectares and in 2022, 9.47 million hectares.

The report allows for several analyzes of the Brazilian forestry economy. In the same period in which there was a decline in planting, there was a 15% increase in production, but the main thing is the lack of environmental and social sustainability in Brazilian forestry.

The report states the predominance of eucalyptus planting, representing 77%, pine representing 19% and only 4% of other species. Eucalyptus and pine are exotic species. Biodiversity is lacking. There is also a lack of opportunities for personal and social growth around monocultures.

Brazil has a great opportunity to expand the forestry economy, especially if it prioritizes research and innovation for native species, and their production chains, with a legal framework guaranteeing legal security and fiscal policy to increase the competitiveness of Brazilian industry and to attract investments.

Currently, the production chains of native species lose the national market due to exotic species, but they also lose the market due to the special conditions applied to imported products of forestry origin, which encourage imports, and not the strengthening of the forestry economy.

Investment in planted forests is aligned with the ESG agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs, however, a more careful look at native species is necessary in order to guarantee the sustainable growth of the forestry economy. Bamboo has the potential to play an important role in the Brazilian forestry economy, being a versatile non-woody forestry product that is also known for its ability to restore lands and landscapes, helping to conserve soil and water, improve land quality, control erosion and adapt to climate change. Because of its long, fibrous, shallow roots, bamboo has been described as a soil binder. Bamboo also increases carbon content, absorbs large volumes of CO2 and adds humus to the soil.

In 2025, Brazil will host the UN Conference on Climate Change - COP 30, and we expect broad support for forest diversity to be explored by local authorities, creating opportunities for everyone.