Thursday April 17th, 2025

Brazil is a country that speaks the language of nature — and few expressions of this identity are as rich as its fruits. From North to South, the country offers a tropical diversity that impresses with its flavor, color and versatility. But the true impact of Brazilian fruits goes beyond the street market or the fruit salad: they have been the raw material for the creation of sophisticated, innovative and sustainable products that today occupy shelves around the world.

While the volume of exports attracts attention — as in the case of mango, melon and avocado — what perhaps still goes unnoticed is the extent to which Brazilian fruits have served as the basis for products ranging from the food sector to cosmetics, from the beverage industry to pharmaceuticals.

Açaí is an emblematic example. Traditionally consumed by communities in the Amazon, it has become known worldwide as a “superfood”. Today, it is found in smoothies, ice creams, dietary supplement capsules, moisturizing creams and even energy drinks. In the United States and Europe, the açaí-based product market is already worth billions of dollars a year — and a large part of this chain begins in the hands of Brazilians.

The same logic applies to cupuaçu, whose use goes far beyond chocolates. Its seeds are used to produce a vegetable butter alternative to cocoa, used in chocolates, cosmetics and moisturizers, with a vegan and sustainable appeal.

A study by Grand View Research indicates that the global functional food and beverage market is expected to reach US$500 billion by 2028, and natural ingredients, especially tropical fruits, are among the most sought after.

Brazil has a clear advantage: abundant supply, diversity and favorable seasonality.