Brazil nuts market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The Brazil nuts market in Latin America and the Caribbean expanded gradually from 38.3 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 44.8 thousand tonnes in 2021, supported by the post-drought recovery in the Amazon and ongoing modernization of the sector's 1976 regulatory ordinance, which aimed to differentiate premium products. International demand for sustainability standards further encouraged investments in certification and traceability during this period.

Market volume surged by 21% to 54.4 thousand tonnes in 2022, primarily driven by a 145% price increase between 2020 and 2022 due to the war in Ukraine and regional instability, which boosted the competitiveness of domestic production. This growth was reinforced by the 2022 Technical Regulation that set strict aflatoxin limits and mandated processing certification, alongside state support programs for extractivism that had already raised output in 2021.

A supply shortage caused by droughts and wildfires linked to El Niño led to an 8.7% market contraction to 49.7 thousand tonnes in 2023, elevating international prices. Concurrently, tighter EU aflatoxin legislation reduced Brazil's export competitiveness. By 2024, the industry focused on adopting modified-atmosphere and vacuum packaging technologies to improve shelf life and meet stringent contamination controls.

Production Brazil nuts in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of Brazil nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of Brazil nuts, 2017-2020

In Latin America and the Caribbean, Brazil nut production reached 74.3 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 4.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 35.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 74.9 thousand tonnes, which represented a 36.8% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with production falling by 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports Brazil nuts from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with the peak being 2.1 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 33 528 tonnes of Brazil nuts, a 7.0% rise compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 38 535 tonnes, which saw a substantial increase of 112.4% from the previous year. Conversely, 2019 experienced the largest decline, with exports dropping by 18.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil nut exports from Latin America and the Caribbean were distributed across numerous countries. The Netherlands accounted for 15.5% of exports, the United States for 15.4%, and the United Kingdom for 11.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 42.2% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Brazil nut exports from Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 176.8 million US dollars, a 16.3% decrease year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 23.3%, translating to an annualized decline of 8.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 345.2 million US dollars, which marked a 49.9% increase from the previous year. In 2019, exports saw the largest drop, declining by 38.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The partner structure for Brazil nut exports in value terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. The United States held 17.7% of export value, the Netherlands 15.8%, and South Korea 15.2%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 48.7% of total flows, with no single country achieving a dominant share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports Brazil nuts to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Brazil nut imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 880 tonnes, a sharp decrease of 22.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 34.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 13.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 937 tonnes, which represented a 44.5% increase from the previous year. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline, dropping by 41.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of Brazil nuts to Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value was recorded at 5.3 million US dollars, a significant loss of 20.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 68.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -31.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading supplier of Brazil nuts to Latin America and the Caribbean, consistently accounting for 1.2% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020