In the fringes of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, farmers climb palm trees up to 30 meters (98 feet) high. In the tree’s canopies they cut down panicles full of ripe and dark purple açai berries.
These antioxidant-rich berries have long been a major food source for indigenous people in Brazil. Over the last century, the superfood spread throughout Brazil and over the last decade has taken over health-conscious consumers throughout the world.
According to a new report, açai is now on 0.8% of US food menus. Its popularity has surged to over 54% over the last four years.
Açai Superberries
The small purple berries of the açai palm, Euterpe oleracea, contain a mega-dose of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and healthy fibers. They have been an inseparable part of the Brazilian diet for decades. Now, they are taking the food world by storm, with no end in sight.
You can find açai in frozen, powder, or capsule form. Restaurants and cafes around the world add the ingredient to smoothies, yogurts, desserts, or to make the hugely popular açai fruit bowls.
Today, açai is a booming market that’s projected to grow by almost 1.5 billion USD by 2028. The berry is fueling the economies of rural indigenous communities in northern Brazil. However, like most food crazes, it’s not all good news.
Outcomes of a Growing Market
Açai cultivation requires human labor and a warm climate only found near rain-rich tropical equatorial regions. In places like the Amazon, acai’s homeland, this has led to deforestation.
Farmers clear swaths of Amazonian forests to grow this cash crop. This has led to the loss of biodiversity and deforestation in the world’s largest rainforest.
Local groups in Brazil and international groups, such as the Nature Conservancy, are working with communities to create more sustainable harvesting methods. These methods incorporate traditional indigenous farming methods with data-driven techniques to boost production and revenue while protecting the ecosystems.
Many local communities suffered over mono-crops in the past, such as sugar cane and rubber. People know that depending on a single crop will not be sustainable in the long-run and many people are watching how this global food will evolve.