Ask Onix
Brazil pushes Amazonian 'superfoods' as climate and economic solution
In a repurposed warehouse along the muddy waters of Belém's riverfront, machines grind exotic Amazonian fruits-cupuaçu, taperebá, bacaba-into powders destined for global markets. Brazil, host of the upcoming COP30 UN climate talks, is positioning these nutrient-rich foods as the next wave of "superfoods," aiming to curb deforestation, combat climate change, and lift local economies out of poverty.
From forest to global shelves
Companies like Mahta, founded by entrepreneur Max Petrucci, are leading the charge. Their lab in Belém's Bioeconomy Park transforms perishable fruits-often spoiled within days of harvest-into shelf-stable powders for smoothies, supplements, and health foods. "There's a treasure trove of superfoods in the forest that the world hasn't discovered yet," Petrucci says, handing over a gritty, unsweetened cacao drink. His pitch blends nutrition with sustainability: fair prices for farmers, zero deforestation, and a focus on "ancestral ingredients" like purple-hued açaí and Brazil nuts.
Transporting raw fruit is costly and inefficient, but freeze-drying preserves nutrients and retains economic value in Brazil, explains Larissa Bueno, Mahta's operations lead. The approach mirrors products like Huel-powdered meal replacements popular in the UK-while sidestepping the carbon footprint of fresh exports. "For 10,000 years, these forests have fed people," Petrucci adds. "Now, we're just packaging that wisdom for the world."
A climate strategy rooted in the Amazon
Brazil's bet on a "bioeconomy"-sustainable industries tied to the Amazon's biodiversity-is central to its climate pledges. Unlike most nations, over two-thirds of its greenhouse gas emissions stem from land use, not energy. Deforestation, driven by cattle ranching, soy farming, and illegal logging, has turned carbon-absorbing forests into emission sources. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vowed to halve deforestation by 2030; recent data shows an 11-year low in tree loss for the year ending July 2025.
Yet the Amazon's 30 million residents need livelihoods. Enter agroforestry: blending crops with native trees to restore ecosystems while generating income. Sarah Sampaio, a coffee producer in Apui-a deforestation hotspot-grows beans under canopy cover. "The trees shade the coffee, farmers grow food around them, and when the plants die, the forest remains," she says. Her award-winning brews, fruity and light, prove sustainability can yield premium products. "To stop deforestation, we must offer alternatives-viable, long-term ones."
Scaling up without repeating past mistakes
The model faces hurdles. Açaí, now a global phenomenon (selling for $13 per bowl in London), risks industrial-scale expansion that could mirror the very deforestation it aims to prevent. Damien Benoit, who exports açaí ice cream to Europe, works with families maintaining four-hectare plots under strict biodiversity rules. "We monitor species density, ensure kids attend school, and prioritize gender equality," he says. But critics warn: without safeguards, even "green" industries can exploit land and labor.
Brazil's climate plan also includes a fourfold increase in biofuels by 2035, a contentious move. While ethanol and biodiesel offer fossil-fuel alternatives, surging demand for feedstocks like sugarcane or soy could accelerate deforestation. Ana Yang, Director of Chatham House's Environment and Society Centre, urges caution: "Not all bio-based solutions are benign. Without strong regulations, we risk trading one crisis for another-destroying habitats in the name of sustainability."
COP30's bioeconomy gamble
The "bioeconomy" label dominates COP30 discussions for good reason. "We must transition from fossil fuels," Yang asserts. "But replacing them with poorly managed bio-resources won't solve the core problem." For now, Amazonian superfoods remain a niche market, propped up by grants and impact investors. Their success hinges on balancing scale with stewardship-proving that prosperity and preservation aren't mutually exclusive.
"If we don't create alternatives, people will keep cutting down trees. The forest isn't just carbon storage-it's their supermarket, pharmacy, and future."
Sarah Sampaio, coffee producer and agroforestry advocate
