Açai: Wealth and exploitation in the Forest

From the collection of palm trees on the banks of rivers and streams to the table of those who consume it, açaí goes a long way. Often marked by the degrading work of adults and children.

For 13 days, reporters Rogério Guimarães, Daniel Mota and Michel Mendes traveled through the Amazon of Pará to show that the fruit that became popular in Brazil and abroad has become the new 'black gold' of the forest, generating employment and income.
Per year, the country still earns, on average, more than 250 million reais with fruit exports. Today, in any Brazilian city it is possible to find a place where açaí is sold. But this wealth hides a reality of misery, exploitation and child labor.

The catcher's routine involves climbing logs several times a day. It's entire families clinging to trees. Hard work, a lot of sweat and little money. There is not always food on the table.
At 54 years old, Lucinésia leads a family of 11 people. But what they earn from picking the fruit, you can't buy anything other than flour and coffee. "I still haven't got lunch today and I already have dinner to think about, at least for my grandchildren", he says.

This cycle of poverty is repeated among the açaí palms. To increase the family income, children and teenagers help to thresh the fruits and put them in the baskets. Because they are lighter, they can still climb thinner trees. All without protective gear. And they pay a high price: they stay out of school or have a delay in learning.
Boy L, 15 years old, cannot read and only writes his first name. Live for work. "I only think about picking up açai", he sums up.
Our team also shows the unequal working relationship between collectors, producers and middlemen. The middlemen are the ones who profit most from the exploitation of the riverside people.
Specialists and authorities are impacted by the complaint by Camera Record. The Public Ministry of Labor requested the images of the report to accompany the case. The images were also sent to the Regional Labor Court and the Secretary of Labor of the Ministry of Economy.