Acai Berries

Acai berries (açaí berries) are healthy fruits of the acai palm trees. The acai berries are native to countries Central and South America with tropical climate. In the past, acai berries were hand picked by local tribes. Nowadays, the acai berries are mass harvested as the demand for them increases in light of their extraordinary health benefits and medicinal properties.

Where do the acai berries grow?

The acai berry grows on the acai palm tree, known scientifically as Euterpe oleracea. These acai palm trees are native to Central and South American countries such as Brazil, Belize and Peru. They grow best in low-lit, swampy areas such as in the Amazon rain forest.

Harvesting the acai berries

Harvesting the acai berries has to be done with care because the acai berries' nutritious properties are only active for 24 hours. That means, the acai berries must be picked and loaded into baskets and onto boats as soon as they are picked. The acai berries are then transported to the local markets and ports for sale.

How much acai berries are produced each year?

Each acai palm tree can produce up to 20 kilograms of acai berries each year. There are two harvests of acai berries each year.

Danger of extinction of the acai berries

More than 200,000 acres of the world's rain forests where the acai palm trees grow best are burned every day. At this current rate of destruction, all the rain forests will be destroyed in 40 years. The fewer acres of rainforest, the fewer acai berries will be harvested.

How popular are the acai berries?

In one day, approximately 400,000 pounds of acai berries are sold in one Brazilian city (Rio) and the number is growing as more people are aware of the health benefits of the acai berries. Elsewhere in the world, the demand for the acai berry products, such as acai berry juice, is growing by the minute. It is still to early to be specific, however.