Community-based production and marketing of Cupuacu (Theobroma Grandiflorum) in Acre, Brazil: Challenges for sustainable nontimber forest product development

The community-based harvesting of nontimber forest products through environmentally benign agroforestry production is one development alternative which may bring socioeconomic gains to rural producers in the Brazilian state of Acre. Key components of the cupuacu commodity system are examined to determine if community-based rural production can overcome barriers of the traditional system. The ability of community-based pulp processing ventures to effectively link into the urban market is analyzed. Socioeconomic gains have been experienced by some community-based families. However, the community-based system still confronts many of the barriers of the traditional system including poor feeder roads and irregular transport service. Linking into the urban market chain is constrained by rural location. Existing market channels provide a reliable outlet for production although using them lessens the community's share of final product value. Establishing operations in the urban market may be an alternative marketing strategy.