Harvest Chronicles: Aguaje, the Superfruit Driving Positive Economy

Feb 18
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Wednesday, 18th February 2026

By Paula Perrelli dos Anjos

*Fotos from Eco-Ola archive

Our Harvest Chronicles is fast becoming a space to spotlight the extraordinary produce that thrives in the Amazon forest. After exploring Dragons Blood, Guayusa, Camu-Camu and Brazil Nut, we are turning to Aguaje, a super-amazonian food with a remarkable list of benefits.

The Aguaje palm rises above the Amazon’s wetlands like a quiet sentinel: tall, fire‑coloured, and impossibly resilient. Known across the forest region as buriti, miriti, moriche, or even the “Tree of Life”, Mauritia flexuosa is one of the largest palms in the rainforest, reaching up to 35 metres high and anchoring entire ecosystems around it.

Where there is Aguaje, there is water, wildlife, and people. The fruit feeds tapirs and macaws, the fibres become toys and baskets, and the oil colours community markets in deep amber tones. And for thousands of families across Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and Guyana, aguaje is not just a tree, but income and inheritance.

Sustaining Livelihoods

In the streets of Iquitos, in Peru, it is easy to see women selling aguaje ice lollies from small carts. Decades ago, researchers estimated that these vendors earned eight times the minimum wage. A reminder that the Amazon’s bioeconomy has long sustained livelihoods. Prices shift, but the story remains the same: aguaje is a cornerstone of local economies, especially for women who rely on forest products to support their households.

The fruit only thrives in healthy wetlands. The palms stretch across the Amazon basin, filtering water, storing carbon, and sheltering biodiversity. When these landscapes are protected, the fruit flourishes. When they are degraded, communities lose both income and ecological security. A single tree can produce between 40 and 360 kilograms of fruit, and one managed hectare can yield between 2.5 and 23 tonnes of fruit per year.

Sustainable harvesting techniques, such as climbing rather than cutting the palms, have become essential to safeguarding the species. They also open the door to higher‑value markets for fruit, oil and fibres. According to latest research from Growth Market Reports, the global aguaje fruit market size reached USD 1.34 billion in 2024, reflecting rising demand and growing awareness of the fruit functional benefits.

Market Value

This is where Amazonia Impact Ventures (AIV)’s partnerships see enormous potential. The market is projected to expand at a robust CAGR of 7.1% from 2025 to 2033, reaching an estimated USD 2.49 billion. Like other Amazonian products, aguaje is the promise of a forest‑based economy that rewards stewardship rather than extraction.

With the right finance, training and reliable market access, small and medium enterprises can improve processing, strengthen governance, and reach ethical buyers who value traceability and forest‑positive ingredients. Central to the aguaje value chain, women benefit the most, gaining income and recognition for their role as guardians of the forest.

AIV currently supports Eco-ola and is finalising a new finance agreement with another partner in Peru. Eco Ola delivers aguaje oil maintaining the highest standards of regenerative agriculture, sustainable-livelihoods, and rainforest conservation. The Aguaje oil project alone conserves 1,500 hectares of carbon-dense forests.

Co-Founded by Carla Noain and William Park, Eco-Ola was born in the Peruvian Amazon, and they provide special climbing equipment and training, working hand in hand with local communities. Thanks to them, we are sharing these fantastic pictures from the last harvest.

AIV is soon finalising and announce a new loan agreement with another Peruvian partner. This next investment will help build a new processing plant for premium aguaje oil.

Health Benefits of Aguaje

Rich in phytoestrogens to support women’s hormonal balance
Exceptionally high in beta carotene (pro‑vitamin A), surpassing carrots and spinach
Strong antioxidant profile that helps combat free radicals
Supports healthy skin, hair and nails
Help regulate oestrogen levels, improving mood and energy
Nutrient‑dense, with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids
Traditionally used for women’s reproductive health
Supports eye health through high carotenoid content
Contribute to immune support