TIMELINE OF FOREST CONCESSIONS
IN BRAZIL:
A MILESTONE IN AN EVOLVING POLICY

1990s – 2005

Initial debates on forest concessions and the maturation of the proposal for public forests.

This phase brought together efforts to combat illegal exploitation, promote sustainable forest management, and develop bidding instruments, consolidating the vision of active management of public forests for conservation and development.

2006

The Public Forest Management Law (Law No. 11,284/2006) is enacted.

The legal framework that created the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB) and the National Forest Development Fund (FNDF), and established the legal basis for the implementation of forest concessions in Brazil, including bidding procedures, social and environmental safeguards, governance, and transparency.

1990s – 2005

First Bidding Processes and Contracts

Holding of the first public hearings and launch of the first call for bids, notably in the Jamari National Forest (RO).
The bidding model with socio-environmental safeguards was tested, creating a reference for the division into Forest Management Units (FMUs).

2010

Start of operations for the first federal forest concession in Brazil.

Start of operations for the first federal forest concession in the Jamari National Forest/RO (currently there are 3 Forest Management Units under concession), consolidating monitoring procedures, traceability, and contractual obligations.

1990s – 2005

Gradual Expansion and Learning

Federal forest concession contracts were signed in the Saracá-Taquera, Jacundá, Caxiuanã, and Altamira National Forests. There are currently 12 Forest Management Units (FMUs) under concession. This period marked the consolidation of models, learning through audits—including independent audits (AFIs)—and advances in monitoring tools, strengthening the legal forest production chain. The total volume of timber produced during this period (Jamari, Saracá-Taquera, Jacundá, Altamira, and Caxiuanã National Forests) was 899,302 m³.

2019 | 2022

Institutional Changes, Partnership with BNDES, and Inclusion of Forest Concessions in the PPI

SFB transferred from the Ministry of the Environment (MMA) to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) by Law No. 13,844/2019.
Inclusion of three National Forests (Flonas) in the Investment Partnerships Program (PPI) — Balata-Tufari, Pau Rosa, and Jatuarana (Resolution 162/2020).
Signing of four concession contracts in the Amapá National Forest and re-bidding of two concession contracts in the Jamari National Forest.
Resumption of operations of two concession contracts in the Crepori National Forest.
During this period, concessionaires maintained revenues and consolidated production indicators, alongside the start of strategic partnerships.
In 2020, BNDES and the SFB signed an agreement under which BNDES provided technical support and structuring services for forest concessions. The goal was to enable sustainable forest management in eight Federal Public Forests, covering timber and non-timber products as well as forest services.
Total timber volume produced in the period (Jamari, Saracá-Taquera, Jacundá, Altamira, and Caxiuanã National Forests): 1,160,924 m³.

1990s – 2005

Environmental Repositioning

SFB returns to the Ministry of the Environment through Decree No. 11,349/2023 (revoked by Decree No. 12,254/2024).
First forest concession in the state of Amazonas, in the Humaitá National Forest.
First call for bids for National Forests in the Southern region, marking a new phase of forest concessions that also includes the Atlantic Forest.
Total timber volume produced in the period (Jamari, Saracá-Taquera, Jacundá, Altamira, Caxiuanã, Crepori, and Amapá National Forests): 375,360 m³.

2024

Expansion and New Projects

1990s – 2005

Restoration, Carbon, and Large-Scale Implementation

Start of forest concessions in Brazil’s Southern region, with the first Forest Concession contract signed for the Irati National Forest (PR).
Promotion of new projects, including forest restoration and the carbon market.
Total timber volume produced in the period (Jamari, Saracá-Taquera, Jacundá, Altamira, Caxiuanã, Crepori, and Amapá National Forests): 379,626 m³.

Signing of the second forest concession contract in the Southern region.
Call for bids for the Jatuarana National Forest (AM) at B3, covering 453,000 hectares across four FMUs; advancement of the forest restoration pilot in the Bom Futuro National Forest.
The B3 bidding process marked a milestone for the concession agenda, as did the launch of the Bom Futuro National Forest at COP30, combining timber production, restoration, carbon markets, and diversification of forest-based activities.

Forest concessions emerged in Brazil as an instrument to organize the economic use of public forests through sustainable management, generate local income, and reduce pressure from illegal deforestation—especially in the Amazon.

The central legal framework is the Public Forest Management Law (LGFP), which created the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB) and established rules for transparency, competition, and social oversight. Since then, the agenda has advanced in waves: institutionalization (2006–2010), gradual consolidation (2011–2018), strategic partnerships (2019–2022), and, more recently, expansion with targets linked to the bioeconomy, forest restoration, and carbon markets (2023–2025).

This timeline reflects the continuous institutional and legal advancement of federal forest concessions in Brazil, showing how each phase brought new challenges and milestones to consolidate the sustainable use and governance of these areas.

CONTEXTUAL NOTES AND
COMPLEMENTARY MILESTONES

Transparency and social participation: since 2007, SFB public forest management reports and public hearings have structured the process, supported by Independent Forest Audits (IFAs), data portals, and the PAOF/PPAOF.
Operational results (2011–2024): annual timber production increased through 2022 and remained at significant levels in 2024; there has been diversification of harvested species (as shown in the RGFP 2024 annex).
Atlantic Forest biome engagement (2023): the concession call for the Irati (PR), Três Barras (PR), and Chapecó (SC) National Forests expanded concessions into the Atlantic Forest biome.
Integration with the carbon market: new projects (e.g., Bom Futuro/RO) incorporate restoration and carbon credits, linking forest concessions to the climate agenda.

TIMELINE OF FOREST CONCESSIONS IN BRAZIL: A MILESTONE IN AN EVOLVING POLICY

1990s – 2005

Initial debates on forest concessions and the maturation of the proposal for public forests.

This phase brought together efforts to combat illegal exploitation, promote sustainable forest management, and develop bidding instruments, consolidating the vision of active management of public forests for conservation and development.

2006

​The Public Forest Management Law (Law No. 11,284/2006) is enacted.

1990s – 2005

First Bidding Processes and Contracts

Holding of the first public hearings and launch of the first call for bids, notably in the Jamari National Forest (RO).

The bidding model with socio-environmental safeguards was tested, creating a reference for the division into Forest Management Units (FMUs).

2010

Start of operations for the first federal forest concession in Brazil.

Start of operations for the first federal forest concession in the Jamari National Forest/RO (currently there are 3 Forest Management Units under concession), consolidating monitoring procedures, traceability, and contractual obligations.

1990s – 2005

Gradual Expansion and Learning

2019 | 2022

Institutional Changes, Partnership with BNDES, and Inclusion of Forest Concessions in the PPI

SFB transferred from the Ministry of the Environment (MMA) to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) by Law No. 13,844/2019.

Inclusion of three National Forests (Flonas) in the Investment Partnerships Program (PPI) — Balata-Tufari, Pau Rosa, and Jatuarana (Resolution 162/2020).

Signing of four concession contracts in the Amapá National Forest and re-bidding of two concession contracts in the Jamari National Forest.

Resumption of operations of two concession contracts in the Crepori National Forest.

During this period, concessionaires maintained revenues and consolidated production indicators, alongside the start of strategic partnerships.

In 2020, BNDES and the SFB signed an agreement under which BNDES provided technical support and structuring services for forest concessions. The goal was to enable sustainable forest management in eight Federal Public Forests, covering timber and non-timber products as well as forest services.

Total timber volume produced in the period (Jamari, Saracá-Taquera, Jacundá, Altamira, and Caxiuanã National Forests): 1,160,924 m³.

1990s – 2005

Environmental Repositioning

SFB returns to the Ministry of the Environment through Decree No. 11,349/2023 (revoked by Decree No. 12,254/2024).

First forest concession in the state of Amazonas, in the Humaitá National Forest.

First call for bids for National Forests in the Southern region, marking a new phase of forest concessions that also includes the Atlantic Forest.

Total timber volume produced in the period (Jamari, Saracá-Taquera, Jacundá, Altamira, Caxiuanã, Crepori, and Amapá National Forests): 375,360 m³.

2024

Expansion and New Projects

1990s – 2005

Restoration, Carbon, and Large-Scale Implementation

Start of forest concessions in Brazil’s Southern region, with the first Forest Concession contract signed for the Irati National Forest (PR).

Promotion of new projects, including forest restoration and the carbon market.

Total timber volume produced in the period (Jamari, Saracá-Taquera, Jacundá, Altamira, Caxiuanã, Crepori, and Amapá National Forests): 379,626 m³.

Signing of the second forest concession contract in the Southern region.

Call for bids for the Jatuarana National Forest (AM) at B3, covering 453,000 hectares across four FMUs; advancement of the forest restoration pilot in the Bom Futuro National Forest.

The B3 bidding process marked a milestone for the concession agenda, as did the launch of the Bom Futuro National Forest at COP30, combining timber production, restoration, carbon markets, and diversification of forest-based activities.

CONTEXTUAL NOTES AND COMPLEMENTARY MILESTONES

TIMELINE OF FOREST CONCESSIONS
IN BRAZIL:
A MILESTONE IN AN EVOLVING POLICY

The Public Forest Management Law (Law No. 11,284/2006) is enacted.

CONTEXTUAL NOTES AND
COMPLEMENTARY MILESTONES