Guarana
Guarana is the seed of Paullinia cupana, a climbing shrub native to the Amazon basin. The seed is one of the most caffeine-dense plant materials known, carrying roughly two to six percent caffeine (locally called guaranine) by weight along with theobromine, theophylline and catechin/epicatechin tannins. Traditionally the seeds are washed, roasted, husked, pounded into a paste and either dried into a hard stick (bastao) that is grated to order, or dried and milled directly into a powder. It is consumed as a stimulant and used as a flavour and caffeine-source ingredient in soft drinks, energy drinks, dietary supplements and confectionery.
Listed guarana markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Guarana is graded on the caffeine (guaranine) content of the seed or powder measured by HPLC or validated UV-Vis spectrophotometry against the seed's natural range, on moisture content, and on a purity/adulteration screen that detects starch or filler dilution beyond the level naturally present in the seed itself, since guarana seed already carries a large natural starch fraction and cheap dilution is the dominant fraud pattern in the trade.
Caffeine (guaranine) content
3 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Whole seed / amendoaCaffeine content of the peeled dried kernel | Typically in the 2.7 to 5.6 percent range by mass, varying with cultivar and seed part. |
| Roasted stick (bastao)Caffeine content of the traditional roasted, pounded and dried stick | Roasting and drying concentrate the figure; commercial floor commonly cited at 3.0 percent by mass. |
| Milled powderCaffeine content of the ground seed or stick, as sold | Same floor as the stick it was milled from; falls sharply once the lot has been diluted with starch or another filler. |
Purity and adulteration screen
2 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| UnadulteratedStarch identity and caffeine content both consistent with genuine guarana | Passes microscopy/NIR starch-identity check and the HPLC caffeine floor for the declared form. |
| DilutedStarch identity or caffeine content inconsistent with genuine guarana | Fails the identity or caffeine check; rejected or repriced as an off-spec lot. |
Moisture and storage condition
2 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Dry, soundMoisture held low enough to prevent fungal growth | Fungal growth in starchy seed is generally controlled below about 13 percent moisture; buyers set the contract ceiling. |
| Mould/aflatoxin screenedTested for Aspergillus contamination and aflatoxin | Required for lots held or shipped through extended hot, humid transit. |
Origin and certification claims
3 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| IG-certifiedCarries an active Indicacao Geografica seal from a registered producer association | Named on the contract with the IG registration and the issuing producer association. |
| OrganicCertificate under the destination market scheme | EU, NOP, JAS or an equivalence arrangement, named on the contract with the certifier and certificate number. |
| Uncertified / genericNo origin or organic claim carried | Trades at a discount to a certified, traceable lot. |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | South America | Origin |
| United States | North America | Destination |
| Canada | North America | Destination |
| Germany | Europe | Destination |
| France | Europe | Destination |
| Spain | Europe | Destination |
| Italy | Europe | Destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Destination |
| Netherlands | Europe | Destination |
| Japan | East Asia | Destination |
| South Korea | East Asia | Destination |
| China | East Asia | Destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Destination |
| Argentina | 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 ripe guarana fruit is picked and processed at origin into seed, stick or powder. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market, after roasting/drying, milling, inspection and the ocean or air voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest Nov to Mar, arrival Jan to MayMaues and the wider central Amazonas region, principal origin; harvest runs November through March, celebrated locally at the Festa do Guarana. Processing (washing, roasting, husking, pounding, drying into stick or milling into powder) follows immediately, then river transport to Manaus and onward ocean or air freight. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Common questions
What grades of guarana does SIP Global trade?
We quote 10 published grades of guarana, including Whole seed / amendoa - Caffeine content of the peeled dried kernel, Roasted stick (bastao) - Caffeine content of the traditional roasted, pounded and dried stick, Milled powder - Caffeine content of the ground seed or stick, as sold, Unadulterated - Starch identity and caffeine content both consistent with genuine guarana, Diluted - Starch identity or caffeine content inconsistent with genuine guarana and Dry, sound - Moisture held low enough to prevent fungal growth. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is guarana graded?
Guarana is graded on the caffeine (guaranine) content of the seed or powder measured by HPLC or validated UV-Vis spectrophotometry against the seed's natural range, on moisture content, and on a purity/adulteration screen that detects starch or filler dilution beyond the level naturally present in the seed itself, since guarana seed already carries a large natural starch fraction and cheap dilution is the dominant fraud pattern in the trade. Grading runs on 4 systems: Caffeine (guaranine) content, Purity and adulteration screen, Moisture and storage condition and Origin and certification claims.
Where does SIP Global trade guarana?
We trade guarana in Brazil, United States, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and United Kingdom and 6 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is guarana harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Brazil: harvest nov to mar, arrival jan to may. 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.
How do I get a price for guarana?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed guarana market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, 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 ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.