In-shell Brazil nuts market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Bolivia's in-shell Brazil nut production fluctuated from 34 196 t in 2018 to a low of 30 843 t in 2020, before recovering to 33 682 t in 2023. Market volume followed a similar pattern, declining from 34 096 t to 30 752 t over the same two-year period and then rising to 33 479 t by 2023. The country maintained its role as the world's leading exporter, with production relying entirely on wild harvesting in Amazonian forests, an activity that supports over half of the local population in some areas and contributes to forest conservation.

The market recovery from 2021 onward coincided with sustained global demand for Brazil nuts, a factor explicitly noted for 2022. This international demand supported export volumes, which peaked at 1 936 t in 2022. The domestic market remains influenced by state-owned and private companies focused on exports to Europe and North America, with no major regulatory changes reported during the period that would alter the fundamental supply structure.

In 2024, the Bolivian government declared a state of emergency in Pando province due to severe floods that disrupted the Brazil nut value chain. The intense rains and flooding hampered raw material collection and transport, negatively affecting harvest quality and quantity and creating delays in supply.

Production in-shell Brazil nuts in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bolivia was one of the world's top producers of in-shell Brazil nuts, ranking second globally by production volume.

Top producers of in-shell Brazil nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of in-shell Brazil nuts, 2017-2020

Bolivia's production of in-shell Brazil nuts declined for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 30 843 tons. This represented a slight decrease of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 22.2%, which translates to an average annual increase of 6.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 34 196 tons, marking the largest annual increase of 35.5%. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with production dropping by 8.9%.

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

Exports in-shell Brazil nuts from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during these years. In 2018, exports peaked at 912.8 tons, but then fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 356.6 tons—a swing of 2.6 times between these two years. The 2020 figure represented a dramatic decline of 41.9% from the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when exports surged by 81.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bolivia's exports of in-shell Brazil nuts were primarily directed to Peru and the Netherlands. Together, these two markets accounted for 89.3% of total export flows, with other destinations playing a much smaller role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited volatility over the observed period. They reached their peak in 2018 at 2 758 thousand US dollars, then dropped to a low in 2020 at 1 009 thousand US dollars—a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.7 times. In 2020, exports fell by 21.2% compared to the previous year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 167.9%, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 53.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, the Netherlands and Peru were the two leading markets for Bolivia's in-shell Brazil nut exports in value terms, together making up 82.4% of the total. The remaining export value was distributed across a variety of other countries.

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

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

Imports in-shell Brazil nuts to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

Import data revealed irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports hit their highest level in 2018 at 813.2 tons, then fell to their lowest in 2020 at 265.3 tons—a gap of 3.1 times between these years. In 2020, imports declined sharply by 41.8% year-over-year. The largest annual increase was in 2018 at 89.1%, while the most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 43.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bolivia's imports of in-shell Brazil nuts were entirely sourced from Brazil, which accounted for 100.0% of total import flows in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed signs of volatility throughout the period. They peaked in 2018 at 319 thousand US dollars and reached their minimum in 2020 at 102 thousand US dollars, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.1 times. In 2020, imports marked a sharp decline of 48.1% from the previous year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 126.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Brazil was the nearly exclusive supplier of in-shell Brazil nuts to Bolivia in value terms, holding a 100.0% share of total imports.

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

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