Açaí, originating from Pará, constitutes 87.3% of Brazil's total output, positioning the state as a key player in the national arena. This dominance is attributed to advanced cultivation techniques and strategic management, enhancing the sector's economic stature. The Amazon Foundation for Support of Studies and Research (Fapespa) highlighted in a recent study the exponential growth in the açaí market, noting a significant increase in the commercial value of Pará's açaí products.
The study underscores a pivotal moment in 2015 when açaí production in permanent crops surpassed one million tons, marking a departure from its traditional extractive methods. Export dynamics have evolved, with Pará's açaí and its derivatives experiencing substantial growth in international markets. Comparative data from 1999 to 2023 illustrates this trend, with exports to the Amazonas region alone increasing from less than one ton to 57 tons.
From 1987 to 2022, Brazil witnessed a more than thirteenfold increase in açaí production, from 145,800 tons to 1.9 million tons. Pará led this surge, contributing 1.7 million tons or 90.4% of the national output in 2022. The production of açaí has also significantly impacted job creation, with the sector generating 3,143 jobs in 2022, reflecting the fruit's importance in the regional economy.
Márcio Ponte emphasizes the necessity of certifying açaí to preserve its cultural and economic value, preventing a repeat of the rubber industry's fate. Moreover, Fapespa's president, Marcel Botelho, remarks on the symbolic significance of celebrating açaí day alongside Amazon day, acknowledging Pará's contribution to the global açaí market.
Source: Abrafrutas