Trump's Tariffs Threaten Brazilian Industry of Acai

• Brazilian acai producers are suffering from new tariffs imposed by the U.S.
• Prices for acai may rise due to excess production in Brazil.
• The U.S. is the largest importer of acai from Brazil.

In Brazil, when U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian export goods in July, acai producer Ailson Ferreira Moreira expressed concern. Many consumers in the U.S. may not have the opportunity to buy the popular superfood, which is dependent on demand.

The U.S. is the largest importer of acai, and prices for smoothies and bowls with acai in the U.S. are likely to increase. According to Moreira, if Brazilians begin to consume more acai, this will lead to a decrease in prices in local markets.

A bowl of acai costs around 50 dollars in Brazilian markets, but this price may rise due to excess production. Producers in the northern state of Para are already feeling the effects of the new tariffs, especially as demand decreases.

Larger exporters, such as the company Acai Tropicalia Mix, are also experiencing negative impacts. One of its owners, Rogério de Carvalho, reported that his company lost 1.5 million Brazilian reais (280,000 dollars) due to reduced sales in the U.S.

Trump linked the increased tariff on Brazil to a lawsuit against the previous president Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under domestic investigation. Regardless of the fact that some Brazilian products are exempt from tariffs, acai is not among them.

Acai production is physically labor-intensive, requiring high-quality wood. Producers also play an important role in protecting tropical forests from illegal logging.

The Brazilian Association of Fruit Producers and their affiliates reports a significant decline in acai exports from the state of Para, from less than 81,000 tons in 1999 to just 61,000 tons in 2023. Brazil has already filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization regarding the new tariffs.

The future of the acai industry looks threatened, especially as higher tariffs may disrupt the balance between supply and demand, which supports this sector.

Tags: USA/Economy