Last year, according to the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade, 23 thousand tons of nuts were exported, marking a 15% decline compared to the previous year's figure of 27 thousand tons. This downward trend in exports reflects a concerning reality for Bolivia's nut industry.
Vital Muñoz, among the many collectors, ventures into the Bolivian Amazon in pursuit of the last chestnuts of the season. As he embarks on this quest, he shares the collective worry over the encroaching deforestation, which not only threatens the delicate balance of tropical forests but also diminishes the production of this valuable fruit.
At 76 years old, Muñoz reflects on the changes he's witnessed firsthand. He recalls a time when they would harvest more barrels (bags) of nuts, a stark contrast to the present where their yields have dwindled. With a sense of lament, he demonstrates the process of opening the darkened fruits, extracting the Brazil nuts - or nuts in the shell - with a machete, a skill passed down through generations.
The decline in nut exports underscores the urgency of addressing deforestation and its implications for Bolivia's ecosystem and economy. This sobering reality serves as a call to action for sustainable practices and conservation efforts in the region.
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