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Commodities from Amazon Biome: A Guide to Choosing Sustainable Paths

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  • Richard Luan Silva Machado

    (Rural Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Roraima Avenue 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil)

  • Rosangela Rodrigues Dias

    (Rural Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Roraima Avenue 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil)

  • Mariany Costa Deprá

    (Rural Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Roraima Avenue 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil)

  • Adriane Terezinha Schneider

    (Rural Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Roraima Avenue 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil)

  • Darissa Alves Dutra

    (Rural Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Roraima Avenue 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil)

  • Cristiano R. de Menezes

    (Rural Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Roraima Avenue 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil)

  • Leila Q. Zepka

    (Rural Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Roraima Avenue 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil)

  • Eduardo Jacob-Lopes

    (Rural Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Roraima Avenue 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil)

Abstract

The exploitation of the Amazon biome in search of net profit, specifically in the production of cocoa ( Theobroma cacao ) and açaí ( Euterpe oleracea ), has caused deforestation, degradation of natural resources, and high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, highlighting the urgency of improving the environmental, economic and social sustainability of these crops. These species were selected for their rapid expansion in the Amazon, driven by global demand, their local economic relevance, and their potential to either promote conservation or drive deforestation, depending on the production system. This study analyzes the pillars of environmental, social, and economic sustainability of cocoa and açaí production systems in the Amazon, comparing monoculture, agroforestry, and extractivism to support forest conservation strategies in the biome. Analysis of the environmental life cycle, social life cycle, and economic performance were used to determine the carbon footprint, the final point of workers, and the net profit of the activities. According to the results found in this study, cocoa monoculture had the largest carbon footprint (1.35 tCO 2 eq/ha), followed by agroforestry (1.20 tCO 2 eq/ha), açaí monoculture (0.84 tCO 2 eq/ha) and extractivism (0.25 tCO 2 eq/ha). In the carbon balance, only the areas outside indigenous lands presented positive carbon. Regarding the economic aspect, the net profit of açaí monoculture was USD 6783.44/ha, extractivism USD 6059.42/ha, agroforestry USD 4505.55/ha, and cocoa monoculture USD 3937.32/ha. In the social sphere, in cocoa and açaí production, the most relevant negative impacts are the subcategories of child labor and gender discrimination, and the positive impacts are related to the sub-category of forced labor. These results suggest that açaí and cocoa extractivism, under responsible management plans, offer a promising balance between profitability and environmental conservation. Furthermore, agroforestry systems have also demonstrated favorable outcomes, providing additional benefits such as biodiversity conservation and system resilience, which make them a promising sustainable alternative.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Luan Silva Machado & Rosangela Rodrigues Dias & Mariany Costa Deprá & Adriane Terezinha Schneider & Darissa Alves Dutra & Cristiano R. de Menezes & Leila Q. Zepka & Eduardo Jacob-Lopes, 2025. "Commodities from Amazon Biome: A Guide to Choosing Sustainable Paths," Commodities, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jcommo:v:4:y:2025:i:2:p:8-:d:1670423
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giuliana Vinci & Marco Ruggeri & Laura Gobbi & Marco Savastano, 2024. "Social Life Cycle Assessment of Cocoa Production: Evidence from Ivory Coast and Ghana," Resources, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Waheed, M.A. & Jekayinfa, S.O. & Ojediran, J.O. & Imeokparia, O.E., 2008. "Energetic analysis of fruit juice processing operations in Nigeria," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 35-45.
    3. Luciana V. Gatti & Luana S. Basso & John B. Miller & Manuel Gloor & Lucas Gatti Domingues & Henrique L. G. Cassol & Graciela Tejada & Luiz E. O. C. Aragão & Carlos Nobre & Wouter Peters & Luciano Mara, 2021. "Amazonia as a carbon source linked to deforestation and climate change," Nature, Nature, vol. 595(7867), pages 388-393, July.
    4. Adriane Terezinha Schneider & Rosangela Rodrigues Dias & Mariany Costa Deprá & Darissa Alves Dutra & Richard Luan Silva Machado & Cristiano Ragagnin de Menezes & Leila Queiroz Zepka & Eduardo Jacob-Lo, 2024. "The Intersectionality Between Amazon and Commodities Production: A Close Look at Sustainability," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-18, October.
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