China’s Beef Demand in Bolivia Drives Deforestation and Wildfires

Firefighters put out a blaze near Robore, in Santa Cruz department, August 2019. Cesar Calani Cosso/Epoch Times

Soaring demand from China for Bolivian beef is fueling wildfires and deforestation as cattle ranchers slash and burn jungle in the Amazon ecosystem to make way for cattle pastures.

The problem has escalated since April 2019, when then-President and leader of the Movement Toward Socialism party (MAS) Evo Morales signed an agreement with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The deal tripled the total demand for Bolivia’s beef exports.