The FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) report shows that the peak of global forest loss occurred long before modern cultivation and expansion of oil palm plantations.\u00b9<\/p>\n
During the period of 1990\u20132000, the world lost approximately 17.6 million hectares of forest per year.\u00b9 In fact, historically, large-scale deforestation has occurred in North America and Europe since the 17th century for agricultural and industrial development.\u00b2<\/p>\n
It means that global deforestation is a long-term and transcontinental phenomenon, and it is not due to the developments of oil palm plantations in Southeast Asian region.<\/p>\n
Overall Agriculture and husbandry as biggest cause<\/strong><\/h1>\nThe data from the FAO has confirmed that nearly 90% of global deforestation is caused by agricultural expansion\u00b3.<\/p>\n
However, it is important to note that the most dominant cause is cattle ranching and large-scale cultivation of food crops like soybeans\u00b3 \u2074.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gapki.id\/dir-site\/uploads\/2026\/02\/European_commossions_2013__.jpg?resize=931%2C607&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
Deforestation data based on a European Commission study (1990\u20132008)\u2074 is as follows:<\/p>\n
\n- Cattle farming: \u00b124%<\/li>\n
- Cereals: \u00b18%<\/li>\n
- Soybeans: \u00b16%<\/li>\n
- Palm oil: only \u00b12\u20135%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It means that the global contribution of palm oil is much smaller than that of livestock and soybeans.<\/p>\n
If palm oil is accused as the main cause of global deforestation, then logically and statistically, the livestock sector has a far greater impact.<\/p>\n
Most efficient in land use<\/strong><\/h1>\nThe fact that is often overlooked about oil palm is that it is the world’s most productive vegetable oil crop.<\/p>\n
Data from Oil World shows the following facts \u2075:<\/p>\n
\n- Palm oil produces approximately 3\u20134 tons of oil per hectare<\/li>\n
- Soybeans only about 0.4 ton per hectare<\/li>\n
- Sunflowers approximately 0.7 ton per hectare<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It means that if the world replaces palm oil with other vegetable oils, land requirements will increase by 5\u20138 times\u2075.<\/p>\n
In other words, replacing palm oil with other alternative oils has the potential to increase pressures on global forests.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gapki.id\/dir-site\/uploads\/2026\/02\/palmoil_eu_.jpg?resize=950%2C508&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
Palm-related deforestation declines<\/strong><\/h1>\nBased on Global Forest Watch monitoring, in recent years tropical primary forest loss has been driven more by fires and extreme climate factors, rather than solely by commodity expansion.\u2076<\/p>\n
In Indonesia itself, annual deforestation rates have shown a declining trend in recent years, according to official government reports and independent satellite data.\u2077<\/p>\n
This indicates that the moratorium, certification, and sustainable palm oil governance policies have been yielding results.<\/p>\n
Global Double Standard?<\/strong><\/h1>\nIt is also important to remember that:<\/p>\n
\n- Massive deforestation occurred in Europe and America long before the palm oil issue emerged\u00b2.<\/li>\n
- Livestock and soybeans for the global market contribute significantly higher\u2074.<\/li>\n
- However, the spotlight of international campaigns often focuses on palm oil.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Global data does not show palm oil as the primary cause of global deforestation. It is a regional factor, but not the dominant factor globally.<\/p>\n
Based on international data through 2025:<\/p>\n
\n- Global deforestation is a historical phenomenon across continents\u00b9\u00b2.<\/li>\n
- Agricultural expansion in general is the largest cause\u00b3.<\/li>\n
- Livestock and soybeans contribute significantly higher than palm oil.<\/li>\n
- Palm oil contributes only a small portion of global deforestation.<\/li>\n
- Palm oil is the most efficient vegetable oil in terms of land use.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Accusing palm oil as the primary cause of global deforestation is inconsistent with global scientific data.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, if managed sustainably, palm oil can be a solution to problems related to land efficiency and part of an energy transition strategy, as well as poverty reduction in tropical countries. (*)<\/p>\n
References:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\u00b9 FAO. Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020. FAO Forestry Paper No. 188. Full report (PDF): https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/ca9825en\/ca9825en.pdf<\/a> Halaman resmi FRA: https:\/\/www.fao.org\/forest-resources-assessment\/en\/<\/a><\/span>
\n\u00b2 FAO Historical Forest Change Data & European Historical Land-Use Transition Studies. FAO FRA Historical Data Portal: https:\/\/fra-data.fao.org\/<\/a> European forest transition literature (overview): https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/y1997e\/y1997e.pdf<\/a><\/span>
\n\u00b3 FAO. 2021. The State of the World\u2019s Forests (SOFO): Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation. PDF resmi: https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/cb9360en\/cb9360en.pdf<\/a> Bagian kunci: ekspansi pertanian \u00b190% penyebab deforestasi global.<\/span>
\n\u2074 European Commission. 2013. The Impact of EU Consumption on Deforestation. Technical Report 2013-063. https:\/\/op.europa.eu\/en\/publication-detail\/-\/publication\/c1d3ef3e-d07e-4229-91e5-41001b47dba8\/language-en<\/a> PDF resmi: https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/environment\/forests\/pdf\/1.%20Report%20analysis%20of%20impact.pdf<\/a>. Bagian kontribusi komoditas (1990\u20132008).<\/span>
\n\u2075 Our World in Data. 2023. Land Use for Vegetable Oils. Halaman data interaktif + sumber penelitian: https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/palm-oil<\/a>. Berisi grafik produktivitas minyak per hektare.<\/span>
\n\u2076 Global Forest Watch (World Resources Institute). 2024. Primary Forest Loss Update. Portal data resmi: https:\/\/www.globalforestwatch.org\/dashboards\/global\/<\/a> Laporan analisis terbaru: https:\/\/research.wri.org\/gfr\/latest-analysis-deforestation-trends<\/a><\/span>
\n\u2077 Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK). Data Deforestasi Indonesia 2023\u20132024. Rilis resmi KLHK: https:\/\/www.menlhk.go.id\/<\/a> Publikasi statistik kehutanan: https:\/\/www.menlhk.go.id\/site\/single_post\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\nIt means that the global contribution of palm oil is much smaller than that of livestock and soybeans.<\/p>\n
If palm oil is accused as the main cause of global deforestation, then logically and statistically, the livestock sector has a far greater impact.<\/p>\n
Most efficient in land use<\/strong><\/h1>\nThe fact that is often overlooked about oil palm is that it is the world’s most productive vegetable oil crop.<\/p>\n
Data from Oil World shows the following facts \u2075:<\/p>\n
\n- Palm oil produces approximately 3\u20134 tons of oil per hectare<\/li>\n
- Soybeans only about 0.4 ton per hectare<\/li>\n
- Sunflowers approximately 0.7 ton per hectare<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It means that if the world replaces palm oil with other vegetable oils, land requirements will increase by 5\u20138 times\u2075.<\/p>\n
In other words, replacing palm oil with other alternative oils has the potential to increase pressures on global forests.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Palm-related deforestation declines<\/strong><\/h1>\nBased on Global Forest Watch monitoring, in recent years tropical primary forest loss has been driven more by fires and extreme climate factors, rather than solely by commodity expansion.\u2076<\/p>\n
In Indonesia itself, annual deforestation rates have shown a declining trend in recent years, according to official government reports and independent satellite data.\u2077<\/p>\n
This indicates that the moratorium, certification, and sustainable palm oil governance policies have been yielding results.<\/p>\n
Global Double Standard?<\/strong><\/h1>\nIt is also important to remember that:<\/p>\n
\n- Massive deforestation occurred in Europe and America long before the palm oil issue emerged\u00b2.<\/li>\n
- Livestock and soybeans for the global market contribute significantly higher\u2074.<\/li>\n
- However, the spotlight of international campaigns often focuses on palm oil.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Global data does not show palm oil as the primary cause of global deforestation. It is a regional factor, but not the dominant factor globally.<\/p>\n
Based on international data through 2025:<\/p>\n
\n- Global deforestation is a historical phenomenon across continents\u00b9\u00b2.<\/li>\n
- Agricultural expansion in general is the largest cause\u00b3.<\/li>\n
- Livestock and soybeans contribute significantly higher than palm oil.<\/li>\n
- Palm oil contributes only a small portion of global deforestation.<\/li>\n
- Palm oil is the most efficient vegetable oil in terms of land use.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Accusing palm oil as the primary cause of global deforestation is inconsistent with global scientific data.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, if managed sustainably, palm oil can be a solution to problems related to land efficiency and part of an energy transition strategy, as well as poverty reduction in tropical countries. (*)<\/p>\n
References:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\u00b9 FAO. Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020. FAO Forestry Paper No. 188. Full report (PDF): https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/ca9825en\/ca9825en.pdf<\/a> Halaman resmi FRA: https:\/\/www.fao.org\/forest-resources-assessment\/en\/<\/a><\/span>
\n\u00b2 FAO Historical Forest Change Data & European Historical Land-Use Transition Studies. FAO FRA Historical Data Portal: https:\/\/fra-data.fao.org\/<\/a> European forest transition literature (overview): https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/y1997e\/y1997e.pdf<\/a><\/span>
\n\u00b3 FAO. 2021. The State of the World\u2019s Forests (SOFO): Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation. PDF resmi: https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/cb9360en\/cb9360en.pdf<\/a> Bagian kunci: ekspansi pertanian \u00b190% penyebab deforestasi global.<\/span>
\n\u2074 European Commission. 2013. The Impact of EU Consumption on Deforestation. Technical Report 2013-063. https:\/\/op.europa.eu\/en\/publication-detail\/-\/publication\/c1d3ef3e-d07e-4229-91e5-41001b47dba8\/language-en<\/a> PDF resmi: https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/environment\/forests\/pdf\/1.%20Report%20analysis%20of%20impact.pdf<\/a>. Bagian kontribusi komoditas (1990\u20132008).<\/span>
\n\u2075 Our World in Data. 2023. Land Use for Vegetable Oils. Halaman data interaktif + sumber penelitian: https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/palm-oil<\/a>. Berisi grafik produktivitas minyak per hektare.<\/span>
\n\u2076 Global Forest Watch (World Resources Institute). 2024. Primary Forest Loss Update. Portal data resmi: https:\/\/www.globalforestwatch.org\/dashboards\/global\/<\/a> Laporan analisis terbaru: https:\/\/research.wri.org\/gfr\/latest-analysis-deforestation-trends<\/a><\/span>
\n\u2077 Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK). Data Deforestasi Indonesia 2023\u20132024. Rilis resmi KLHK: https:\/\/www.menlhk.go.id\/<\/a> Publikasi statistik kehutanan: https:\/\/www.menlhk.go.id\/site\/single_post\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It means that if the world replaces palm oil with other vegetable oils, land requirements will increase by 5\u20138 times\u2075.<\/p>\n
In other words, replacing palm oil with other alternative oils has the potential to increase pressures on global forests.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Palm-related deforestation declines<\/strong><\/h1>\nBased on Global Forest Watch monitoring, in recent years tropical primary forest loss has been driven more by fires and extreme climate factors, rather than solely by commodity expansion.\u2076<\/p>\n
In Indonesia itself, annual deforestation rates have shown a declining trend in recent years, according to official government reports and independent satellite data.\u2077<\/p>\n
This indicates that the moratorium, certification, and sustainable palm oil governance policies have been yielding results.<\/p>\n
Global Double Standard?<\/strong><\/h1>\nIt is also important to remember that:<\/p>\n
\n- Massive deforestation occurred in Europe and America long before the palm oil issue emerged\u00b2.<\/li>\n
- Livestock and soybeans for the global market contribute significantly higher\u2074.<\/li>\n
- However, the spotlight of international campaigns often focuses on palm oil.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Global data does not show palm oil as the primary cause of global deforestation. It is a regional factor, but not the dominant factor globally.<\/p>\n
Based on international data through 2025:<\/p>\n
\n- Global deforestation is a historical phenomenon across continents\u00b9\u00b2.<\/li>\n
- Agricultural expansion in general is the largest cause\u00b3.<\/li>\n
- Livestock and soybeans contribute significantly higher than palm oil.<\/li>\n
- Palm oil contributes only a small portion of global deforestation.<\/li>\n
- Palm oil is the most efficient vegetable oil in terms of land use.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Accusing palm oil as the primary cause of global deforestation is inconsistent with global scientific data.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, if managed sustainably, palm oil can be a solution to problems related to land efficiency and part of an energy transition strategy, as well as poverty reduction in tropical countries. (*)<\/p>\n
References:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\u00b9 FAO. Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020. FAO Forestry Paper No. 188. Full report (PDF): https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/ca9825en\/ca9825en.pdf<\/a> Halaman resmi FRA: https:\/\/www.fao.org\/forest-resources-assessment\/en\/<\/a><\/span>
\n\u00b2 FAO Historical Forest Change Data & European Historical Land-Use Transition Studies. FAO FRA Historical Data Portal: https:\/\/fra-data.fao.org\/<\/a> European forest transition literature (overview): https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/y1997e\/y1997e.pdf<\/a><\/span>
\n\u00b3 FAO. 2021. The State of the World\u2019s Forests (SOFO): Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation. PDF resmi: https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/cb9360en\/cb9360en.pdf<\/a> Bagian kunci: ekspansi pertanian \u00b190% penyebab deforestasi global.<\/span>
\n\u2074 European Commission. 2013. The Impact of EU Consumption on Deforestation. Technical Report 2013-063. https:\/\/op.europa.eu\/en\/publication-detail\/-\/publication\/c1d3ef3e-d07e-4229-91e5-41001b47dba8\/language-en<\/a> PDF resmi: https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/environment\/forests\/pdf\/1.%20Report%20analysis%20of%20impact.pdf<\/a>. Bagian kontribusi komoditas (1990\u20132008).<\/span>
\n\u2075 Our World in Data. 2023. Land Use for Vegetable Oils. Halaman data interaktif + sumber penelitian: https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/palm-oil<\/a>. Berisi grafik produktivitas minyak per hektare.<\/span>
\n\u2076 Global Forest Watch (World Resources Institute). 2024. Primary Forest Loss Update. Portal data resmi: https:\/\/www.globalforestwatch.org\/dashboards\/global\/<\/a> Laporan analisis terbaru: https:\/\/research.wri.org\/gfr\/latest-analysis-deforestation-trends<\/a><\/span>
\n\u2077 Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK). Data Deforestasi Indonesia 2023\u20132024. Rilis resmi KLHK: https:\/\/www.menlhk.go.id\/<\/a> Publikasi statistik kehutanan: https:\/\/www.menlhk.go.id\/site\/single_post\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It is also important to remember that:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Massive deforestation occurred in Europe and America long before the palm oil issue emerged\u00b2.<\/li>\n
- Livestock and soybeans for the global market contribute significantly higher\u2074.<\/li>\n
- However, the spotlight of international campaigns often focuses on palm oil.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Global data does not show palm oil as the primary cause of global deforestation. It is a regional factor, but not the dominant factor globally.<\/p>\n
Based on international data through 2025:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Global deforestation is a historical phenomenon across continents\u00b9\u00b2.<\/li>\n
- Agricultural expansion in general is the largest cause\u00b3.<\/li>\n
- Livestock and soybeans contribute significantly higher than palm oil.<\/li>\n
- Palm oil contributes only a small portion of global deforestation.<\/li>\n
- Palm oil is the most efficient vegetable oil in terms of land use.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Accusing palm oil as the primary cause of global deforestation is inconsistent with global scientific data.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, if managed sustainably, palm oil can be a solution to problems related to land efficiency and part of an energy transition strategy, as well as poverty reduction in tropical countries. (*)<\/p>\n
References:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\u00b9 FAO. Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020. FAO Forestry Paper No. 188. Full report (PDF): https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/ca9825en\/ca9825en.pdf<\/a> Halaman resmi FRA: https:\/\/www.fao.org\/forest-resources-assessment\/en\/<\/a><\/span>
\n\u00b2 FAO Historical Forest Change Data & European Historical Land-Use Transition Studies. FAO FRA Historical Data Portal: https:\/\/fra-data.fao.org\/<\/a> European forest transition literature (overview): https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/y1997e\/y1997e.pdf<\/a><\/span>
\n\u00b3 FAO. 2021. The State of the World\u2019s Forests (SOFO): Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation. PDF resmi: https:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/cb9360en\/cb9360en.pdf<\/a> Bagian kunci: ekspansi pertanian \u00b190% penyebab deforestasi global.<\/span>
\n\u2074 European Commission. 2013. The Impact of EU Consumption on Deforestation. Technical Report 2013-063. https:\/\/op.europa.eu\/en\/publication-detail\/-\/publication\/c1d3ef3e-d07e-4229-91e5-41001b47dba8\/language-en<\/a> PDF resmi: https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/environment\/forests\/pdf\/1.%20Report%20analysis%20of%20impact.pdf<\/a>. Bagian kontribusi komoditas (1990\u20132008).<\/span>
\n\u2075 Our World in Data. 2023. Land Use for Vegetable Oils. Halaman data interaktif + sumber penelitian: https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/palm-oil<\/a>. Berisi grafik produktivitas minyak per hektare.<\/span>
\n\u2076 Global Forest Watch (World Resources Institute). 2024. Primary Forest Loss Update. Portal data resmi: https:\/\/www.globalforestwatch.org\/dashboards\/global\/<\/a> Laporan analisis terbaru: https:\/\/research.wri.org\/gfr\/latest-analysis-deforestation-trends<\/a><\/span>
\n\u2077 Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK). Data Deforestasi Indonesia 2023\u20132024. Rilis resmi KLHK: https:\/\/www.menlhk.go.id\/<\/a> Publikasi statistik kehutanan: https:\/\/www.menlhk.go.id\/site\/single_post\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"