Brazilian Nuts: Are Bolivian Varieties Safe For Consumption?

Brazil nuts are seeds harvested from the Bertholletia excelsa tree, which is native to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. They are a good source of healthy fats, protein, fibre, and antioxidants, such as selenium. They are typically enjoyed raw or blanched and have a smooth, buttery texture and nutty flavour. While Bolivia is the largest producer and exporter of Brazil nuts, questions have been raised about the working conditions in the industry and whether the nuts are sterilized.

The exploitation of workers and poor working conditions

Brazil nuts are a cornerstone of Amazon conservation, as their trade allows local and indigenous communities to generate income while preserving the rainforest. However, the working conditions in the Brazil nut sector in Bolivia are often exploitative and marked by poor working conditions.

Child Labour

Child labour is widespread in the Brazil nut sector in Bolivia. Around 64% of workers bring their underage children to help with the harvest, and two-thirds of these children's schooling schedules are affected by this work. 40% of harvest workers reported that their children had lost a year of education, and 10% indicated that their children had missed two or more years.

Low Wages

While companies that collect, process, and export Brazil nuts have benefited from rising prices, the wages of harvest workers have remained stagnant. The average monthly income for harvest workers and their families is $397, and $348 for processing workers and their helpers. While these wages are above Bolivia's national minimum wage of $297, they are often the total earnings of multiple family members, meaning that individual workers earn less than the minimum wage. These wages are also insufficient to support a family, as the minimum monthly income needed for a family to live decently in Bolivia is estimated to be between $538 and $735.

Informality of Employment

The informality of employment in the Brazil nut sector is another issue, with two-thirds of harvest workers and three-quarters of factory workers lacking written contracts. This makes it more difficult for workers to claim their rights.

Abusive Conduct by Employers

Some workers reported abusive conduct by employers, including physical aggression (9% of harvest workers and 6% of factory workers), sexual harassment (12% and 17%), threats (18% and 36%), and the withholding of payments and personal belongings (15% and 11%).

Debt Bondage

Many harvest workers are in debt to their employers due to requested advances on their wages, making it difficult for them to quit their jobs. Additionally, workers are often dependent on their employers for basic necessities, as they live in isolated camps (barracas) where the shops belong to the plantation owner.

The environmental impact of harvesting

Brazil nuts are harvested from wild trees in the Amazon Basin, which spans Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. The environmental impact of Brazil nut harvesting is relatively sustainable, but the industry faces threats from climate change, deforestation, and human consumption.

Brazil nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa) are dependent on several animal species for their survival. The agouti, a ground-dwelling rodent, is the only animal with teeth strong enough to open their grapefruit-sized seed pods. While agouti eat some of the seeds, they also scatter them across the forest floor, allowing new trees to grow. Brazil nut trees also rely on Euglossine orchid bees for pollination.

The complex symbiotic relationships between the Brazil nut tree and these animal species make cultivating the trees in man-made plantations extremely difficult. As a result, Brazil nuts are harvested from wild reserves, which helps protect the forest ecosystem. The industry has even been described as 'the cornerstone of Amazon conservation' as it provides economic value to the forests and prevents the conversion of forest land into cattle pastures and cropland.

However, the sustainability of Brazil nut harvesting is under threat. Climate change has negatively impacted nut production, with warmer temperatures, increased rainfall, and the spread of pests and diseases reducing yields. Deforestation has also led to a decrease in Brazil nut-producing trees, with the destruction of the Amazon rainforest in Bolivia and Brazil devastating the industry.

The main threat to Amazon forests is cattle ranching, which accounts for nearly 80% of deforestation. The allure of more viable livelihoods in cattle ranching and agriculture has drawn people away from Brazil nut harvesting. Additionally, human consumption has also impacted the availability of Brazil nuts, with increasing demand worldwide leading to depleted stocks.

To ensure the continued sustainability of Brazil nut harvesting, it is important to address the issues of climate change, deforestation, and human consumption. Improving sustainable harvesting practices, replanting efforts, and educating communities about the importance of conservation can help protect Brazil nut trees and their habitat.

The health benefits of Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts are native to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. They are highly nutritious, with a smooth, buttery texture and nutty flavor. They can be eaten raw or blanched and offer a range of health benefits, including:

Rich in Selenium

Brazil nuts are known for their high selenium content, a vital mineral that supports a healthy immune system. Selenium is also important for thyroid health and brain health. Just one Brazil nut contains 96 micrograms of selenium, which is 175% of the reference daily intake (RDI).

Source of Mono-Unsaturated Fat

Brazil nuts have a high proportion of monounsaturated fat (MUFA). Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats can improve blood flow and blood pressure, and increase physical energy.

Good for the Brain

Brazil nuts contain a plant chemical called ellagic acid, which has protective and anti-inflammatory properties. This may offer neuroprotective and antidepressant effects on the brain. Selenium is also important for brain health, and studies have shown that selenium supplementation can improve cognitive performance in older adults with mental impairment.

Support Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Brazil nuts have been shown to reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels (known as 'bad cholesterol') due to their heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid profile, high fiber, and mineral-rich content.

Strong Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Brazil nuts are rich in protective antioxidants, which help protect cells from oxidative damage. Selenium, a key antioxidant in Brazil nuts, increases levels of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme that helps reduce inflammation and protects the body from oxidative stress.

May Support Mood Balance

Low selenium levels have been linked to mood-related disorders such as anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that symptoms of these disorders decreased after just five weeks of selenium supplementation, which can be achieved through the consumption of 1-1.5 Brazil nuts per day.

May Support the Immune System

The mineral selenium acts as a protective antioxidant and supports the immune system. Brazil nuts also contain vitamin E and the polyphenols ellagic and gallic acid, which may further enhance the body's defense mechanisms.

However, it is important to consume Brazil nuts in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Excessive consumption can lead to selenosis, which may cause symptoms such as hair loss and brittle nails.

The history of the industry in Bolivia

Brazil nuts have been exported from the Amazon to Europe since as early as 1633, although this early trade was primarily focused on the Eastern Amazon. In the following centuries, Brazilian companies dominated the market, to the extent that in many languages, the product still bears the country's name.

However, in 1998, the European Union imposed stricter sanitary import standards, particularly regarding aflatoxin contamination. While both Brazilians and Bolivians pleaded for exemption, arguing that the new rules would harm traditional communities and lead to increased deforestation, no exceptions were made.

Bolivian companies responded effectively and immediately to the new standards. The government required exporters to submit negative tests for aflatoxin before receiving an export license, and companies in Riberalta rehabilitated their business association, equipping it with a laboratory capable of checking the aflatoxin content of nuts. In contrast, the Brazilian government was slow to act, and Brazilian processors and exporters were unable to cooperate with each other, continuing to ship contaminated batches to the EU. As a result, European authorities increased the frequency of inspections, and eventually, Brazilian exporters gave up on the market.

In 2019, Brazilian companies accounted for only 11% of the Brazil nut market, while companies in Bolivia maintained a 74% share. Bolivia is now the largest producer and exporter of Brazil nuts in the world, with 78% of the total global production. In the department of Beni, which borders Brazil in the northeast of Bolivia, 75% of the economy comes from Brazil nuts, and over 89,000 people are reliant on them.

The role of co-operatives in the industry

Brazil nuts are the second most exported non-traditional product from Bolivia, with 75% of the economy in the department of Beni, in the northeast of the country, coming from the nut. Bolivia is the world's largest producer and exporter of Brazil nuts, yet 64% of the forest-dependent population of Beni cannot satisfy their basic needs.

The Brazil nut industry in Bolivia is characterised by exploitative social and economic conditions, with workers facing abusive conduct, child labour, and low wages. However, cooperatives are beginning to build a safer, fairer, and more sustainable industry.

Co-operatives are grassroots initiatives that empower local communities, ensuring that profits stay in the hands of those who work hard to collect the nuts, rather than big businesses. They provide international markets and increase income through long-term trading relationships and transparent supply chains. Fairtrade certification guarantees a minimum price in advance, securing livelihoods and removing the need for expensive middlemen.

Additionally, cooperatives offer premiums that are used by the community to build vital infrastructure, promote self-sufficiency through investment in food crops, and support vulnerable families during crises like Covid-19. They also play a crucial role in monitoring and preserving the Amazon rainforest, promoting the conservation of biodiversity.

In the semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte, the Mossorró cooperative provides agro-ecological technical assistance to its members, helping them grow crops sustainably and improve the water supply for over 3,000 families.

In Brazil, the Organisation of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB) fosters a close relationship between cooperatives and the Ministry of Agriculture. OCB provides smallholder members with machinery, equipment, and financial support through rural credit unions, while also managing logistics to ensure maximum quality.

Co-operatives are vital in the Brazil nut industry, promoting fairer economic conditions, supporting local communities, and contributing to the conservation of the Amazon rainforest.

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