From the Amazon rainforest to international grocery shelves, Brazilian nuts embody a blend of biodiversity, tradition, and agricultural innovation. With increasing demand for healthy foods, Brazil’s native nuts are emerging as players in global trade. Production methods vary widely — from traditional forest harvesting to conventional agricultural systems, reflecting the country’s manifold approaches to nut growing.
Brazil’s Nut Diversity
Brazil produces several native nuts, including cashews, Brazil nuts (castanha-do-pará) and baru. Each is grown in specific ecosystems under different production models. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), cashew production reached 111,103 tons in 2021. Brazil’s nut production, which is largely reliant on wild harvesting in the Amazon, totaled 27,285 tons in 2017. Baru and pecan nuts are produced in smaller but steadily increasing amounts, highlighting the industry’s expanding diversity. Although not native to Brazil, the pecan nut is an important source of income for farmers in the southern region of the country. As a tree resilient to the region’s climate conditions, it contributes to the diversification of products from Brazilian farms.
Brazilian Nuts Exports
According to Brazil’s official foreign trade platform ComexStat, Brazil exported in 2024:
7,555 tons of cashew nuts, worth US$ 43.9 million;
8,985 tons of Brazil nuts, yielding US$ 39.6 million;
288 tons of walnuts, worth over US$ 2.3 million.
These figures reflect the rising global interest in high-quality and nutritious products. Brazilian nuts are particularly gaining ground in European and Asian markets, where many consumers value traceability and environmental concerns
What Makes Brazilian Nuts Unique
Brazilian nuts are known for their nutritional richness, distinctive flavor aspects, and unique origins. The Brazil nut (castanha-do-pará) stands out as one of the few traded nuts coming mainly from wild trees in the Amazon rainforest. Its harvest can support the livelihoods of extractive communities, though practices vary in relation to their environmental impact. In regions like the Cerrado and Caatinga ecosystems, some producers grow nuts using agroforestry techniques, while others employ conventional farming methods. Naturally rich in selenium, proteins, and healthy fats, these nuts cater to the increasing global demand for nutritious foods that connect consumers to Brazil’s diverse ecosystems and agricultural traditions.