China’s animal-protein-rich diets are increasingly reliant on Brazil’s land and water resources

China’s shift towards greater consumption of animal proteins drove substantial changes in global agricultural dynamics and particularly affected Brazil, a leading exporter of animal feed proteins. Here we examine the environmental consequences of the Sino-Brazilian soybean trade by focusing on land and water resources and the associated deforestation risk. We estimate that Brazil supplies 10% of total protein and 24–29% of animal proteins in the Chinese diet. China’s reliance on Brazilian soybeans to feed its livestock corresponded to 17.8 Mha of virtually imported Brazilian land in 2020. Irrigation is minimal, while rainwater represents an important share of virtual water trade. Although direct deforestation linked to soybean production decreased, indirect deforestation persists and soybean cultivation keeps expanding—often displacing other land uses. These findings underscore the complex interplay between global dietary shifts and environmental burdens. China’s increasing demand for animal proteins drives Brazil’s agricultural expansion and exacerbates environmental pressures in vulnerable ecosystems.