China and deforestation

How big is China's deforestation footprint? 

China has contrasting stories to tell on deforestation. 

On its own forests, China's record is positive.

Historically, China had a net rate of forest loss, but since 2000 it has implemented a series of large-scale forest restoration programmes, both protection-focused and afforestation dominated, which have reversed the trend to the extent that the country is now considered the global leader in domestic reforestation. 

Yet when it comes to the deforestation linked to China's imports, the picture is far less rosy. 

China's imports are associated with massive tropical deforestation, particularly in Brazil and Indonesia. 

A 2025 Forest Trends report found that China's agricultural and timber imports drove an annual loss of more than 400,000 hectares (ha) of tropical forest - four million ha in total - in the period between 2013 and 2022. This comes at the expense of the climate, as well as the natural world: the same report found that this amounted to as much as 5% of carbon emissions from tropical deforestation during this period.  

What commodities drive China's imported deforestation?

Imports of palm oil, beef (including buffalo meat), soybeans and plantation timber are the biggest contributors to China's imported deforestation.

Cattle production is the largest single driver of global deforestation, and 42% of exports from Brazil, the world's top beef exporter, go to China.

China is the world's largest importer and consumer of soybeans, which contribute 18% of global deforestation. 

China is also among the top global consumers of palm oil, importing large volumes from Malaysia and Indonesia. 

Rubber, maize, cocoa, cassava and coffee are among other commodities responsible for China's imported deforestation.

Almost 70% of China’s tropical deforestation footprint comes from forests illegally converted for commercial agriculture and timber plantations.

How strong are China's forest laws? 

China has not formally instituted regulations or policies addressing the imported deforestation through its agricultural commodity supply chains. However, China’s Forest Law clearly defines deforestation violations and penalties, reflecting China’s key priorities and policymaking on deforestation.

Moreover, the Ministry of Commerce has introduced a specific plan focused on green trade and sustainable development as part of its overarching strategic objectives. This initiative highlights the importance of increasing both the quantity and quality of imports while calling for the establishment of green and low-carbon trade standards and certification schemes. 

How much of China's forest risk exports go to the EU? 

In 2024 the EU imported goods worth €517.8 billion from China, making China the Union’s single largest source of merchandise. China exports approximately €7.1 billion in wood-based goods and €4.01 billion in rubber-based goods to the EU annually, including furniture, paper, tires, and gloves.

China is not a direct exporter of forest-risk products to the EU, such as timber, soy, palm oil, and natural rubber, but as a key processing and transshipment hub for these commodities, Chinese companies exporting them to the EU will face pressure to comply with the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR).

Chinese companies sourcing raw materials from high-risk regions such as Brazil, Southeast Asia, and Africa will be further required to meet EUDR compliance requirements. 

What are the main challenges Chinese companies face to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation? 

For China, a major importer, processor, and exporter of forest- and land-use–related commodities, the Regulation poses a substantial compliance challenge and a strategic opportunity to advance sustainable, resilient supply chains. 

Wood, rubber and leather products are the most significant sectors in China that will be impacted by the EUDR.  

The primary challenge for China-linked exporters under the EUDR is supply chain traceability, due to complex, multi-tier sourcing structures and gaps in land-use and geolocation data.

These issues also disproportionately affect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Although larger companies are better equipped to absorb compliance costs, uneven certification systems and the absence of a unified policy framework on overseas deforestation risks create additional uncertainty.

Categories: News, FAQs, EU Regulation on deforestation-free products