# Brazilian Amazon Deforestation Hits 40-Year Low Before Election

> Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon recorded its lowest level since 1988, declining by 42% in the year ending July 2026, just ahead of a pivotal presidential election runoff.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-17T20:47:16.481242Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/brazilian-amazon-deforestation-hits-40-year-low-before-election-89397bf8

Brazil's Amazon deforestation reached its lowest level in nearly 40 years, with 3,335 square kilometers cleared in the year ending July 2026, marking a 42% decline from the previous year. [4][6][7][8][9][10] This reduction, described by some as an "historic achievement," comes just over a week before Brazil's presidential election runoff on October 25, 2026. [3][4][8]

This environmental success represents a reversal of a trend observed under the previous administration and offers a political boost to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. [1][2][3][8] The outcome of the upcoming election, pitting Lula against Flávio Bolsonaro, could determine if this downward trend is maintained or reversed. [3][8]

## What the Records Show
Official government data indicates that 3,335 square kilometers of the Amazon rainforest were cleared between August 2025 and July 2026. [6][7][8][9][10] This figure represents the lowest level of deforestation recorded since tracking began in 1988. [3][4][6][7][8][9][10] The decline of nearly 42% is measured against the previous year's figures. [6][7][8][9][10] Brazil's space research agency, Inpe, which produces these statistics, measures the annual period from August to July because less cloud cover during those months allows for clearer satellite imaging. [9]

Beyond the Amazon, deforestation in Brazil's Cerrado savanna also fell by approximately 24% during the same period, reaching 5,517 square kilometers, the lowest level recorded there since 2001. [8][9]

## Timeline of Decline
Deforestation records for the Amazon began in 1988. [3][4][6][7][8][9][10] A significant increase in deforestation occurred in 2019, the first year of former President Jair Bolsonaro's term. [5] However, the deforestation trend in the biome has been declining since 2020. [5] President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in 2023 with a pledge to end illegal deforestation by 2030. [8] The most recent data, covering August 2025 to July 2026, was released on Friday, October 16, 2026. [6][7][10] The second round of the presidential election, where President Lula faces Flávio Bolsonaro, is scheduled for October 25, 2026. [1][3][8]

## Impact and Policy Shifts
The reported decline is considered a direct reversal of the trend observed during former President Jair Bolsonaro's time in office, when deforestation expanded. [2][3][5][8] Ana Clis Ferreira, a spokesperson for Greenpeace Brazil, stated that the decline can be attributed to the environment department, noting Minister Marina Silva's

## Evidence cited
1. Brazil: Amazon deforestation at 40-year low (www.france24.com) — https://www.france24.com/en/video/20261017-brazil-amazon-deforestation-at-40-year-low
2. Brazil sees record fall in Amazon deforestation as key election looms (www.bbc.co.uk) — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqe8rzg6zl00o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
3. Brazilian Amazon deforestation falls to lowest on record as pivotal vote looms (www.theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/16/brazil-amazon-deforestation-lowest-on-record-election
4. Brazil: Amazon deforestation lowest in nearly 40 years (www.dw.com) — https://www.dw.com/en/brazil-amazon-deforestation-lowest-in-nearly-40-years/a-79684906?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
5. Only One Brazilian State Saw a Rise in Deforestation in the Amazon Compared to Last Year. (insideclimatenews.org) — https://insideclimatenews.org/news/14052026/amazon-deforestation-brazil-lula-climate-change-election/
6. Brazil's Amazon deforestation falls to lowest level in nearly 40 years (www.thejournal.ie) — https://thejournal.ie/brazil-amazon-deforestation-lowest-level-nearly-40-years-6196883-Oct2026/
7. Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon falls to lowest level in nearly 40 years (tbsnews.net) — https://tbsnews.net/environment/deforestation-brazilian-amazon-falls-lowest-level-nearly-40-years-406180
8. Brazil's Amazon deforestation hits lowest level on record (illuminem.com) — https://illuminem.com/illuminem-insight/652f1e64-e1b9-43c2-8438-e60d9f2a95e2
9. Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon falls to lowest on record in 2025/26 (wmbdradio.com) — https://wmbdradio.com/2026/10/16/deforestation-in-brazils-amazon-falls-to-lowest-on-record-in-2025-26/
10. Brazil's Amazon Deforestation Falls To Record Low, Forest Loss Drops 42% (freepressjournal.in) — https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/brazils-amazon-deforestation-falls-to-record-low-forest-loss-drops-42