Brazilnut
The Brazil nut is the seed of Bertholletia excelsa, a canopy tree of the Amazon basin that has never been successfully domesticated at scale. The tree depends on large bodied bees for pollination and on the agouti to open its woody fruit, so commercial supply comes almost entirely from wild collection in standing forest across Bolivia, Peru and Brazil. Collectors gather the fallen pods, break them open, and deliver the shelled seeds to a processing plant where they are dried, cracked, dehydrated and sorted. Almost all traded volume is shelled kernel. The kernel is rich in oil and is the densest common dietary source of selenium, which makes it a staple of nut mixes, snack packs, bakery, confectionery and health food. Shell and reject material is pressed for oil or used as fuel at the plant.
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Listed brazilnut markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Price guarantee on brazilnut
If a move in the brazilnut price would hurt you, fix the price now. We agree it today for the months you name, and it holds whatever the market does in between.
| Buying | You use or resell brazilnut and need to know your cost. We fix your purchase price for the quantity and months you name. |
|---|---|
| Selling | You grow, produce or hold brazilnut and need to know your revenue. We fix your sale price ahead of production or shipment. |
| Settlement | Against delivery of the brazilnut. |
A price is fixed only once a trader confirms it in writing. Request a fixed price.
Caps and floors on brazilnut
A fixed price binds buyer and seller. A cap or a floor is a guaranteed price on one side only. You pay a fee up front for it, and it is a right, not an obligation: you use it only if the market moves against you.
| Cap | For buyers. A guaranteed maximum price for brazilnut. If the market is above the cap when you buy, you pay the cap. If it is below, you buy at the market price and let the cap lapse. |
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| Floor | For sellers. A guaranteed minimum price for brazilnut. If the market is below the floor when you sell, you receive the floor. If it is above, you sell at the market price and let the floor lapse. |
| Fee | Agreed and paid up front. It is the whole cost of the cap or floor, and it is not refunded if the cap or floor goes unused. |
A cap or a floor is in place only once a trader confirms it in writing. Request a cap or a floor.
Grades
Brazil nut kernel is graded on integrity, moisture and defect tolerance, with sizing optional and expressed as a count of kernels in a fixed weight.
Kernel integrity
4 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| WholeEntire kernel | A complete kernel with no more than a minor portion missing. The premium presentation. |
| BrokenPieces of a kernel | Kernel split or fractured but with pieces still substantially larger than chips. |
| ChippedSmall fragments | Fragments screened to a stated aperture range, used in bakery and cereal. |
| MidgetUndersized whole | Small whole kernels below the smallest commercial count band, sold as a distinct line. |
Size by count
4 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| LargeCount per kilogram or per pound | The lowest count band offered by the processor, meaning the largest kernels. The contract states the numeric range. |
| MediumCount per kilogram or per pound | The middle count band. The most widely traded presentation. |
| SmallCount per kilogram or per pound | A higher count band, meaning smaller kernels. |
| TolerancePercentage outside the band | The standard permits a stated percentage by weight of kernels outside the declared count range. |
Quality class and defects
5 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Extra ClassSuperior quality | Kernels free from defects apart from very slight superficial ones that do not affect appearance, keeping quality or presentation. |
| Class IGood quality | Slight defects in shape, colour and superficial damage permitted within stated tolerances. |
| Class IIMarketable quality | The widest tolerances, for kernels that meet the minimum requirements but do not qualify for the higher classes. |
| Rancidity and mouldPercentage by count | Rancid, mouldy, decayed and insect damaged kernels are each capped separately by class. |
| Foreign matter and shellPercentage by weight | Loose shell, testa fragments and foreign matter are capped by weight. |
Moisture and contaminants
3 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| MoisturePercentage by weight | Kernel is dehydrated at the plant to a low moisture level so that it can be stored and shipped without mould. The contract states the maximum. |
| AflatoxinMicrograms per kilogram | Brazil nut is a regulated aflatoxin risk. The contract states the aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin limits and the sampling plan, which follow the destination market. |
| SeleniumMilligrams per kilogram | Selenium content varies with the soil at the collection site. Where a buyer specifies a range, the contract states the assay method. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| Bolivia | South America | Origin |
| Peru | South America | Origin |
| Brazil | South America | Origin and destination |
| Colombia | South America | Origin |
| United States | North America | Destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Destination |
| Germany | Europe | Destination |
| Netherlands | Europe | Destination |
| Italy | Europe | Destination |
| Spain | Europe | Destination |
| France | Europe | Destination |
| Poland | Europe | Destination |
| Canada | North America | Destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Destination |
| Japan | East Asia | Destination |
| South Korea | East Asia | Destination |
| China | East Asia | Destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| India | South Asia | Destination |
| Turkiye | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Belgium | Europe | Destination |
| Chile | South America | Destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the crop is taken at origin. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is processing, grading and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivia | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest Dec to Mar, arrival Apr to JulWild collection in Pando and northern Beni during the rainy season, when the pods fall. Processing and shipment follow from March. | ||||
| Peru | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest Dec to Mar, arrival Apr to JulCollection in Madre de Dios on the same rainy season pattern as Bolivia. | ||||
| Brazil | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest Dec to Mar, arrival Apr to JulCollection in Acre, Amazonas and Para. A large share is consumed and processed domestically. | ||||
| Colombia | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest Dec to Mar, arrival May to JulA small Amazonian origin collecting on the regional pattern. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for brazilnut. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading0801.21 Brazil nuts, in shell
0801.22 Brazil nuts, shelled - PackingIn shell in jute or PP woven bags of 25 kg to 50 kg. Kernels vacuum packed in cartons or tins of 10 kg to 25 kg, nitrogen flushed for high oil content nuts. Moisture at pack is the specification that decides shelf life.
- Container loading20ft: 14 t to 19 t. In shell is weight limited, kernel is volume limited. Reefer at 5 to 10 degrees Celsius for long transits on high oil kernels.
- Contract and arbitrationINC quality standards with the Dried Fruit and Edible Nut trade contract in Europe, arbitration in London, and Association of Food Industries contracts with AFI arbitration for United States trade.
- Destination limitsEU aflatoxin limits under Regulation 2023/915, being 2 ug/kg B1 and 4 ug/kg total for ready to eat nuts and higher where the lot is to be sorted before consumption. Salmonella controls, and increased official controls under Regulation 2019/1793 for several origins. US FDA action level of 20 ug/kg total aflatoxin.
Common questions
What grades of brazilnut does SIP Global trade?
We quote 16 published grades of brazilnut, including Whole - Entire kernel, Broken - Pieces of a kernel, Chipped - Small fragments, Midget - Undersized whole, Large - Count per kilogram or per pound and Medium - Count per kilogram or per pound. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is brazilnut graded?
Brazil nut kernel is graded on integrity, moisture and defect tolerance, with sizing optional and expressed as a count of kernels in a fixed weight. Grading runs on 4 systems: Kernel integrity, Size by count, Quality class and defects and Moisture and contaminants.
Where does SIP Global trade brazilnut?
We trade brazilnut in Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Netherlands and 14 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is brazilnut harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Bolivia: harvest dec to mar, arrival apr to jul; Peru: harvest dec to mar, arrival apr to jul; Brazil: harvest dec to mar, arrival apr to jul; Colombia: harvest dec to mar, arrival may to jul. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for brazilnut?
Brazilnut is normally classified under HS 0801.21 (brazil nuts, in shell) and HS 0801.22 (brazil nuts, shelled). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
Can I fix a brazilnut price ahead?
Yes. SIP Global fixes a brazilnut price ahead for buyers and for sellers, as a price guarantee. Send the grade, the quantity and the months you need covered. We settle against delivery, and a price is fixed only once a trader confirms it in writing.
How do I get a price for brazilnut?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to SIP Global. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 11 listed brazilnut markets are published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We buy and sell the physical cargo, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- UN Comtrade (opens in new tab)Official international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade Map (opens in new tab)Bilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTAT (opens in new tab)FAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities