In-shell Brazil nuts market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for in-shell Brazil nuts saw notable shifts. The introduction of new sanitary certification requirements for processing in 2018 mandated stricter traceability and documentation for exports, which likely temporarily affected supply chain efficiency. This contributed to a decrease in market volume from 72 264 t in 2018 to 68 827 t in 2019. A recovery followed in 2020, with the market reaching 72 684 t.

The market expanded significantly to 84 896 t in 2022, driven primarily by the formation of an Export Executive Committee by Brazilian companies that year, which actively promoted the product in international markets and stimulated production for export. However, in 2023, the market contracted to 77 824 t. This decline coincided with reported structural issues within the supply chain, such as nut collectors receiving only 5% of the total value generated, which may have dampened production incentives.

In 2024, the sector faced a severe drought and wildfires in the Amazon linked to the El Niño phenomenon, a recurring climatic challenge for harvests. Concurrently, regulatory developments included the ongoing update of Portaria MAPA No. 846 governing production and export procedures, and the opening of new export markets such as Turkey and Costa Rica.

Production in-shell Brazil nuts in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

In 2020, South America produced 74,266 tonnes of in-shell Brazil nuts, marking a controlled 4.4% increase compared to the previous year. Production grew by 35.7% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annualized rate of 10.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 74,877 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.0% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 36.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports in-shell Brazil nuts from South America

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2017, while the maximum occurred in 2018, representing a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South America exported 1,940 tonnes of in-shell Brazil nuts, a sharp 36.9% decrease from the prior year. The peak export volume was 4,012 tonnes in 2018, which also saw the largest increase at 223.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. The United States (6.2% of exports in kind), China (5.5%), and Hong Kong (4.5%) together accounted for only 16.2% of total flows. The remaining 83.8% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. The minimum export value was recorded in 2020, while the maximum occurred in 2018, showing a 2.8-fold variation between these years. In 2020, in-shell Brazil nut exports from South America amounted to 6,817 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 48.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The peak export value was 19,051 thousand US dollars in 2018, which also saw the largest increase at 121.7%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. The United States (13.9% of exports in value terms), China (11.1%), and Hong Kong (9.9%) together accounted for just 34.9% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports in-shell Brazil nuts to South America

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 3.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, South America imported 358 tonnes of in-shell Brazil nuts, equivalent to a 52.3% drop versus the previous year. The maximum import volume was 1,400 tonnes in 2018, which also saw the largest increase at 71.1%.

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

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported in-shell Brazil nut volumes in South America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, South America imported approximately 1,812 thousand US dollars worth of in-shell Brazil nuts, down by 50.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 65.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -30.2%. The maximum import value was recorded in 2018 at 8,862 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 58.7% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 66.6%.

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

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

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