Degraded lands could become São Paulo's new asset to expand planted forests, strengthen wood, cellulose, and biomaterials, as well as keep the state competitive in the international market.

Degraded lands could become São Paulo’s new asset to expand planted forests, strengthen wood, cellulose, and biomaterials, as well as keep the state competitive in the international market.

Written by Caio Aviz

Published on 18/06/2026 at 23:54

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State has 2.3 million hectares suitable for new forest plantations, according to Florestar São Paulo, and sees room to grow with wood, cellulose, biomaterials, and exports

São Paulo can practically triple its area of planted forests by using degraded lands or those with low agricultural aptitude. With this, the state would increase production without encroaching on native vegetation.

The executive director of Florestar São Paulo, Fernanda Abilio, presented this assessment in an interview with CNN Agro, published on June 18, 2026. According to her, the state combines productivity, infrastructure, industry, and consumer market.

Currently, São Paulo has about 1.3 million hectares of planted forests. Eucalyptus occupies 77% of this area. This scenario shows an already consolidated productive base.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Potential lies in already degraded areas

According to Florestar São Paulo, the state gathers about 2.3 million hectares of degraded areas or those with low agricultural aptitude. These lands can receive new forest plantations.

The expansion should occur mainly in already anthropized areas. In practice, the sector would not need to open new areas or remove native vegetation.

This potential can strengthen the production of:

wood;
cellulose;
paper;
pine resins;
wood panels;
biomass for energy;
biomaterials.

Aerial view of planted forest with aligned trees, representing the potential for forest expansion in degraded areas of São Paulo. — ***Planted forest area illustrates the potential pointed out by Florestar São Paulo to expand cultivation in degraded lands or those with low agricultural aptitude*** – ***Neco Varella/Estadão Conteúdo – Apr 27, 2006***

São Paulo combines productivity, industry, and logistics

São Paulo occupies the third national position in cultivated area, behind Mato Grosso do Sul and Minas Gerais. Even so, the state stands out for its productivity, infrastructure, and industrial value addition.

Fernanda Abilio states that the São Paulo differential lies in the combination of productivity, consolidated industry, logistics, and consumer market.

The presence of the main clients in the sector also favors the state. The proximity to the Port of Santos reinforces this advantage for foreign trade.

Sector moves billions and grows in the state

The São Paulo forestry sector moves approximately R$ 5 billion per year. The activity represents about 13% of the gross value of Brazilian forestry production.

In recent years, the segment has grown by about 19%. The heated demand, exports, productivity gains, and greater industrialization of wood have driven this progress.

Brazil ranks among the largest forestry producers and exporters in the world. In this market, China and the United States are among the main destinations.

Exports reinforce the weight of São Paulo agribusiness

Forestry products occupy the third position in the São Paulo agribusiness export agenda. São Paulo exports about US$ 3 billion per year in this segment.

This volume represents approximately 19% of the national exports in the sector. The result keeps the state in a relevant position in the Brazilian forestry chain.

The export agenda goes beyond cellulose. The state also sells paper, resins, panels, biomass, and other higher value-added industrialized products.

Forestry hubs consolidate the production chain

Regions like Botucatu and Itapetininga have already consolidated themselves as important forestry hubs. These areas concentrate nurseries, planting, harvesting, transportation, and industrial processing.

The integrated structure strengthens São Paulo’s presence in the forest-based bioeconomy. This progress also increases the state’s weight in renewable products.

According to Florestar São Paulo, local conditions enable continuous investments. Therefore, São Paulo can expand its forestry production focusing on already degraded areas, exports, and higher value-added products.

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Degraded lands could become São Paulo’s new asset to expand planted forests, strengthen wood, cellulose, and biomaterials, as well as keep the state competitive in the international market.

State has 2.3 million hectares suitable for new forest plantations, according to Florestar São Paulo, and sees room to grow with wood, cellulose, biomaterials, and exports

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Degraded lands could become São Paulo’s new asset to expand planted forests, strengthen wood, cellulose, and biomaterials, as well as keep the state competitive in the international market.

State has 2.3 million hectares suitable for new forest plantations, according to Florestar São Paulo, and sees room to grow with wood, cellulose, biomaterials, and exports

Potential lies in already degraded areas

São Paulo combines productivity, industry, and logistics

Rio Pinheiros catches the attention of those passing by the bike path with less strong odor, more capybaras and birds on the banks, a reduction of up to 55% in organic matter, and a record removal of trash in São Paulo.

Sector moves billions and grows in the state

Exports reinforce the weight of São Paulo agribusiness

Forestry hubs consolidate the production chain

Libya built over 4,000 kilometers of underground pipelines to bring water from the Sahara to coastal cities in a project that the government itself called the Eighth Wonder of the World.

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