It is hard to get an accurate translation of “castaña” in many markets is known as Brazilian Nut (chestnut, walnut, nut), even though most of it comes from Bolivia, mainly from Pando, the portion of that department closer to Beni has its produce handled in medium size cities. In any case, it is a product that we have a competitive advantage on.
The ‘castaña’ is being exported long before current political leaders of ruling party were even born!! Lets not forget that, there were ships that sailed from Great Britain who arrived well inside current Beni and Pando, until Brazil, Paraguay drained the rivers that prevented larger vessels to get inside our beautiful country. So, current government could not take merit for this extraordinary export.
Estela Caballero Espinoza writes for La Prensa:
Bolivia, Brazil and Peru are the only countries in the world producing Amazon nut.
Bolivia again becomes the world’s main exporter of Amazon nuts, and its main markets are the United Kingdom and United States, according to a report of the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade (IBCE).
The activity of the exploitation and benefit of the chestnut [castaña] represents more than 75 percent of the economic movement of the Bolivian North, comprising the entire Department of Pando; Vaca Diez province of the Beni and the Iturralde province of La Paz.
The result generated $150 million in exports, mainly to the United Kingdom and United States.
The report, called “chestnut [castaña] in the United Kingdom”, shows important data on the increase of sales and countries that offer the product whose list is headed by Bolivia.
The document also indicates that the main provider of peeled chestnut to the United Kingdom is Bolivia, since this nation imported amounting to $ 25.4 million from 2008. The average kept rising the following years.
Germany is the third country of destination of exports of Bolivia of chestnut for approximately a total of seven million dollars and a growth in value of 26 percent rate.
During 2010, exports reached an amount of $96 million for export, compared to $150 million in 2011.
Conservation chestnut. The Empresa Boliviana de Almendras (Eba) works in the so-called “chestnut of conservation”, which is a new concept of ‘castaña’ coming from protected areas that’s been implemented little by little in the international market, as stated in a report of this company.
Differentiated markets. Also producers of Walnut strides in markets that are differentiated by Eba, who is currently the leader in production of organic Amazon nut of certified forest, in partnership with more than 14 social groups, between collectors associations, cooperatives and community economic organizations (Oecom). Total more than 50 indigenous and peasant communities that certified their forests, so will receive a price differentiated by its production, which fluctuates between 12 and 32 percent more than the conventional pricing, says the report of the State-owned company.
In 2011, it generated $150 million, about 90 percent stayed in the hands of the two largest sectors of the chain: 60 per cent with collectors and the remaining 30 percent with the manufacturing of the item.
Growing areas. After five years of stalemate with prices of 1.5 and 2.5 dollars the pound, as average annual value, the Amazon nut, from 2011, experienced the best international price, the 3.0-4.0 dollars the pound.
Great product, although lets not forget that state-owned companies are not inherently competitive. Private sector along with those communities and certified forest have a greater opportunity, that is what sustainable development is about!
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