Brazil nuts market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the domestic market for Brazil nuts in MERCOSUR stood at 19 274 t, with exports dominating but primarily in unprocessed form. The following year, stricter aflatoxin testing requirements in Bolivia and the shipment of contaminated batches from Brazil to the EU created trade barriers, causing exports to plummet to 6 816 t. This increased the availability of nuts domestically, raising the market volume to 26 210 t. By 2020, the entry of new players such as Castanhas Ouro Verde into export qualification programs helped exports recover to 7 777 t, while the market size stabilized at 25 851 t.

The market volume contracted to 23 636 t in 2021. However, in 2022, growing consumer demand linked to heightened health and wellness awareness stimulated domestic consumption, pushing the market to 27 840 t alongside a production increase to 38 169 t. In 2023, the market remained steady at 27 998 t, with imports rising to 1 603 t and exports declining to 8 956 t.

During 2024, Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture published Instrução Normativa №11, establishing safety and quality standards for Brazil nuts and their by-products for both domestic and international markets. Additionally, the Mesa Executiva de Exportação de Castanhas was formed to discuss strategies for adding value and internationalizing processed nuts, involving indigenous cooperatives and emerging companies.

Production Brazil nuts in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of Brazil nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of Brazil nuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, MERCOSUR produced 33 118 tonnes of Brazil nuts, marking a slight increase of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 41.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 12.3%. The highest production level was achieved in 2018, with 34 170 tonnes. In 2019, production experienced its largest decline, dropping by 3.7%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a surge of 46.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in MERCOSUR in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports Brazil nuts from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, export volumes hit their lowest point, while they peaked in 2018, resulting in a 3.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, MERCOSUR's Brazil nuts export volume was recorded at 7 777 tonnes, representing a 14.1% increase year-over-year. The maximum export volume was in 2018, at 14 933 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 54.4%, whereas the most substantial increase was in 2018, with a remarkable 248.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from MERCOSUR in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the core of Brazil nuts exports in kind was formed by Peru, Bolivia, and the United States, accounting for 32.9%, 24.3%, and 13.5% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 70.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from MERCOSUR in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values reached their minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, showing a 4.9-fold shift. In 2020, Brazil nuts exports from MERCOSUR totaled 20 744 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a slight contraction of 1.6% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018, at 59 023 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 64.3%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a surge of 393.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from MERCOSUR in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Brazil nuts exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United States, Peru, and South Korea accounted for 24.4%, 14.0%, and 7.1% of exports, respectively, totaling only 45.6% of total flows. The remaining 54.4% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

World map of product's exports from MERCOSUR in value, 2017-2020

Imports Brazil nuts to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

Throughout the timeframe, the market exhibited an unstable trend. Import levels were at their lowest in 2018 and reached their peak in 2020, showing a 13.9-fold variation. In 2020, MERCOSUR imported a total of 510 tonnes of Brazil nuts, constituting a sudden increase of 318.5% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018, at 37 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 92.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to MERCOSUR in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bolivia and Peru dominated Brazil nuts imports in kind, with a combined share of 92.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to MERCOSUR in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values dropped to their minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2017, resulting in a 22-fold shift. In 2020, MERCOSUR imported approximately 1 204 thousand US dollars of Brazil nuts, up by 190.8% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018, at 263 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 95.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to MERCOSUR in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil nuts imports in value terms to MERCOSUR were largely oriented towards Bolivia and Peru, whose combined share reached 99.1% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to MERCOSUR in value, 2017-2020