If you’re looking for premium and expensive nuts, you may have encountered brazil nuts along the way. While this type of nut isn’t the most expensive, it will still take a handful of money to enjoy a pound of such. Now, one thing you may wonder is what makes it unique and of high value. So, you may ask:
Why are brazil nuts so expensive? First, Brazil nuts are expensive because they thrive in the wild and are not cultivated. Further, the trees take a long time to mature and bear some nuts. For this reason, the supply remains low, and it’s made worse by the forest fires that decreased the number of trees that produce these nuts.
While most crops are planted and harvested, these nuts have specific environmental needs. It isn’t easy to plant and harvest them in bulks. So if you ever wonder why the value of these nuts is so high, you need to learn more about the reason behind their high price.
This article will walk you through all the top four reasons why brazil nuts are so expensive. This way, you can understand more about their value and see if it’s worth buying for you depending on your preference and needs.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
Are brazil nuts expensive?
Yes, brazil nuts are expensive. You can get these nuts for around $15 to $17 per pound. You can enjoy a lower price when you buy more of these nuts. However, it would be best to buy in small amounts, especially if you don’t need a lot or only want to taste these nuts.
Why are brazil nuts so expensive?
Brazil nuts are expensive due to several reasons. Here are four of the most common reasons for it. You can read further below to see the reason behind their expensive price tag.
Long maturity
One thing to note is that the brazil nuts come from trees that take several years to mature. Once these trees mature, that’s the only time when they can produce the nuts. For this reason, the supply of these nuts is minimal, making their value go up and increasing their prices over time.
Hard to cultivate
Another reason brazil nuts are so expensive is that they are hard to cultivate. There’s no success in cultivating the trees in an orchard environment.
Further, these trees usually grow in the wild, rainforests, and in similar biomes. Some studies and research also suggest a problem with the pollinators that helps in setting the seeds for this tree.
As a result, there are only a handful of trees that produce brazil nuts worldwide. This rarity alone makes their value and price go up.
Most seeds come from the wild.
Due to the limited supply and the difficulty of cultivating, most brazil nuts are harvested from the wild. However, it means that the harvesting process is labor extensive and hazardous, adding up to the price and value of this nut.
Another thing is that the continuous harvest prevents the natural process of replacing and replanting new trees. In short, the supply of brazil nuts continues to decrease as time passes.
Forest fire
South America’s forest is home to so many trees. However, due to the forest fires in such, the world’s temperature heats up. Thus, the remaining trees are getting threatened, and the brazil nuts condition worsens day by day.
How much do brazil nuts cost?
Brazil nuts costs around $15 to almost $17 per pound, depending on the quantity you’ll buy. In general, these are the estimated price for these nuts:
- One bag of brazil nuts costs around $16.48 per lb
- Two bags of brazil nuts cost around $16.14 per lb
- Three or more bags of brazil nuts cost around $15.29 per lb
In short, you can have a lower price when buying in bulks, although it’s not that much of a difference, and it’s not necessary if you’re buying only for a small number of consumers.
Are brazil nuts worth the money?
Brazil nuts are worth the money because they provide an array of health benefits when consumed. As a source of healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, these nuts are nutritional powerhouses.
In particular, they’re high in selenium, a mineral with powerful antioxidant properties. As a result, you may improve your thyroid function and heart health when consuming Brazil nuts.
Why are brazil nuts so popular?
Brazil nuts are trees native to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. Their smooth, buttery texture and nutty flavor are typically enjoyed raw or blanched. These nuts are energy-dense, highly nutritious, and one of the most concentrated dietary sources of the mineral selenium.
What is the problem with Brazil nuts?
One of the most common problems with brazil nuts is their low supply. Besides being unsuccessful in growing in an orchard environment, they are only grown in the wild and grow naturally rather than with the help of man. Thus, continuous harvesting prevents the seeds from reproducing, lowering the supply as time passes.
Why did they stop selling Brazil nuts?
They stopped selling brazil nuts due to a continuous decrease in the supply of these nuts. For instance, the lack of rain in South America caused brazil nut pods to fall earlier than expected. As a result, fewer seeds could germinate and grow into trees. Thus, the halt in selling brazil nuts promotes the trees’ growth and increases their supply.
Further, the drastic drop in production of brazil nuts made the Brazilian government ban the cutting of such trees.
Summary
In a nutshell, brazil nuts are costly because they thrive in the wild and aren’t cultivated. Furthermore, the trees take a long time to mature and produce nuts. In addition to the low supply, forest fires have led to fewer trees producing these nuts. As a result, the supply remains low.
Unlike most crops, nuts require specific environmental conditions for growth and harvest. Therefore, they are difficult to plant and harvest in bulk. However, if you have ever wondered why these nuts are so valuable, you should learn more about the reason behind their high price. We hope this information helped you understand the situation of brazil nuts and why they have a high price.
Also Read:
- Why Are Nuts So Expensive?
- Why Are Pine Nuts So Expensive?
- Why Are Cashews So Expensive?
- Why Are Macadamia Nuts So Expensive?
- Why Are Pistachios So Expensive?
Resources
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