1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
In focus
German election 2025SyriaCrisis in the Middle East
Latest audioLatest videos
Live TV
Nature and EnvironmentLatin America

Brazil's super berry

Bianca Kopsch
November 21, 2017

There is growing global demand for acaí, an Amazonian berry with super powers so great that if grown sustainably, it can protect the rainforest while simultaneously being an economic boon.

https://p.dw.com/p/2nwqZ
Acaí farmer
Image: Bianca Kopsch

Acai - Brazil’s super berry

Project aim: Protection of biodiversity through the integration of ecosystem services in public programs and business dealings
Project implementation: Data is used to analyse the extent to which companies and their suppliers can benefit from an intact ecosystem
Project partner: Ministry of the Environment (MMA) in Brazil, National Confederation of Industry Brazil (CNI), German development agency, GIZ
Project size: German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) funding: 6.500.000 €
Project duration: 08/2012 to 05/2019

The acaí berry is internationally marketed as a "superfood" which even the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries use in various products. Demand for the Amazon rainforest berry is high, but if produced in a sustainable way, it can protect the rainforest and bring economic benefits.

A film by Bianca Kopsch