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Harvesting acai is a key step in ensuring the fruit’s quality. It relies on local expertise, passed down through generations in the Amazon, and on very specific harvesting conditions.
From the moment the harvesters climb the palm trees to the initial steps following the harvest, every action has a direct impact on the freshness, texture, and nutritional qualities of the acai.
Here are the 7 key steps in the acai harvest, along with Nossa!’s commitments to ensuring quality, positive social impact, and sustainability.
How does the acai grow?
First of all, the acai berry, a fruit with numerous health benefits, is prized for its nutritional value. The acai berry comes from a palm tree that grows naturally in the floodplains of the Amazon.
Before being enjoyed as an acai bowl, smoothie, or juice—which are simply different ways of preparing it—this fruit undergoes a long and meticulous process. Its intense flavor and unique texture are the result of traditional expertise and well-managed logistics.
We guarantee full traceability from the harvest area, and here are our commitments:
- Our acai is certified organic, and part of our production is certified fair trade (Fair for Life standard). 100% of our acai is harvested in the forest, from plots managed using an agroforestry model.
- Our acai is selected for its taste, color, and aroma. We de-seed the fruit within 24 to 48 hours of harvest to preserve all its flavor and nutritional qualities.
- The factories we work with adhere to the highest standards of quality and food safety (FSSC 22000 or IFS certifications)
When you choose Nossa Acai, you’re choosing a healthy, premium product while supporting the Amazon and its people.
The different stages of acai production
After harvesting, the açaí must be processed quickly to preserve its quality. Since the fruit is very delicate, each step is carefully monitored to prevent any spoilage.
From the selection of the berries to the initial processing, the process follows a series of rigorous steps designed to ensure a consistent, safe product that remains true to the original fruit.
Here are the different stages of acai production:
Check for ripeness
Açaí can only be harvested at a specific time. Pickers watch the color of the fruit: when it turns dark purple, almost black, it is considered ripe.
At this stage, the berries have reached their full potential in terms of flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Harvesting too early or too late directly affects the quality of the final product.
Climbing a palm tree
Acai berries grow in clusters on palm trees, at a height of 2 to 10 meters above the ground. To harvest them, pickers use a pole or climb the trees. To climb the trees, acai pickers need only a piece of rope tied around their feet.
In the past, these pieces of rope were made from acai leaves rolled up and tied into a circle; this tool is called a “peconha,” which is where the name for the acai harvester, the “peconheiro,” comes from.
Every year, Nossa! is on the ground during harvest season, working directly with its partner cooperatives.
Cut back on smoking
Once at the top of the palm tree, the harvester cuts the clusters of berries using a knife or a hook.
Each cluster can weigh several pounds, sometimes up to 10 kg. The movement must be precise to avoid damaging the fruit or the palm tree, and to ensure the clusters fall safely to the ground.
Collect and sort the fruit
The bunches fall to the ground, usually onto a tarp or an open area. The pickers then remove the berries from the branches.
An initial sorting is carried out on-site to remove damaged, overripe, or substandard fruit. This step is essential to ensure a healthy starting point.
Store in baskets
The selected berries are then placed in traditional baskets, often made of natural fibers.
These containers allow the fruit to breathe and prevent it from getting squashed, unlike airtight containers. This also reduces the risk of premature fermentation.
Transportation
The baskets are carried on foot by the harvesters through the forest and then along the rivers, sometimes for several kilometers.
The route may include sections along rivers or over rough terrain. This stage requires time and careful logistical planning to transport the fruit quickly.
Deliver to the collection point
The berries are then transported, often by boat, to a collection point or a cooperative.
They are sold quickly so they can be processed by local processing facilities. This timeframe is crucial: açaí begins to spoil just a few hours after harvest, which is why it must be processed quickly (usually within 24 hours).
Our team in Brazil followed every step of the açaí harvest, right on the ground in the Amazon. From picking the berries high up in the palm trees to transporting them, this video gives you a firsthand look at how the harvest takes place.
Watch our video explaining the acai harvest
Transport to the factory
Once harvested, the acai berries are quickly transported to local processing facilities. This step is essential for preserving their quality and preventing any spoilage.
To understand how acai is then processed into a puree, check out our article on theindustrial processing of acai.
Nossa's on-site support
Strict traceability and supervision in the field
Our Brazilian CSR team is on the ground throughout the harvest season. They oversee processes, monitor practices, and provide day-to-day support to the cooperatives.
We also work with cooperatives with the support of Nilma, our agroforestry technician. She trains and advises acai harvesters to optimize harvesting and logistics.
A concrete commitment to people
We visit the families of harvesters and assess their needs for protective equipment.
To date, we have distributed more than 100 protective kits for harvesting to the cooperatives we work with. These kits include gloves, boots, work clothes, and other items.
We also organize workshops to raise awareness about best agricultural practices, safety, collective income management, and compliance with specifications.
A zero-tolerance policy
Our commitment is clear: in the event of non-compliance with our requirements (child labor, employment of undocumented workers, failure to meet specifications or certification standards), Nossa! will immediately terminate its partnership with the cooperative in question.
This vigilance ensures not only high-quality acai but also a fair and ethical social impact.
Key facts about the acai harvest in the Amazon
When you choose Nossa!, you’re choosing acai that’s healthy, delicious, sustainable, ethically sourced, and 100% traceable.
Behind every acai bowl lies a thriving ecosystem, a preserved forest, and communities we support.
When is the acai harvested?
The açaí harvest takes place mainly during the dry season in the Amazon, between August and December. This is when the berries ripen.
How can you tell if an acai berry is ripe?
Acai berries are harvested only when they turn dark purple, almost black. This color indicates that they are ripe and ready to eat.
Why is the açaí harvested by hand?
Harvesting is done entirely by hand because the palm trees are tall and located in hard-to-reach areas. This also helps protect the trees and ensures that only ripe berries are picked.
Why does acai need to be processed quickly?
The acai berry is a very delicate fruit that spoils quickly after harvest. It must be processed within 24 hours to preserve its nutritional value and flavor.
