The natural products we love so much have a long way to go before they reach our shelves in the form of cosmetics. One example of this is andiroba, an essential ingredient in moisturizers, soaps and body oils.
In the heart of the Médio Juruá, a territory that is more than 700 km from the capital of Amazonas, andiroba has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries even before becoming a cosmetic ingredient. Discovered by indigenous peoples, its analgesic, healing and anti-inflammatory properties are recognized.
But its history goes far beyond its medicinal benefits: it represents a sustainable value chain that combines traditional knowledge, forest conservation and income generation for local communities.
Oilseeds from the Middle Juruá
The Médio Juruá is home to native species such as andiroba (Carapa guianensis), the ucuuba (Virola surinamensis) and the murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru). For over 20 years, local extractivists have managed their seeds sustainably, transforming them into oils and butters to serve the cosmetics market, including companies like Natura.
This production chain is coordinated by local organizations CODAEMJ and Amaru, which guarantee not only the quality of the products, but also the appreciation of the work of riverside communities.
Furthermore, this chain is deeply loved and respected by the women of the region. Although men also participate in the process, it is women who play a central role, safeguarding traditional knowledge, ensuring the quality of production and passing on their practices to future generations.
Jandira Medeiros, a resident of the Xibauazinho community, highlights what the prison represents for her and the community: ”The chain generates social and economic sustainability, without causing any type of damage to the environment”.
The path of andiroba: from fruit to moisturizer
The andiroba oil production process is a meticulous and detailed process:
- Collect: Men and women enter the forest to collect seeds, respecting nature's timing and fruiting cycles.
- Seed washing: Most collectors leave the seeds to soak in water, usually for a period of up to 12 hours, to facilitate the cleaning process and eliminate caterpillars that may be on the seeds.
- Drying and checking: the seeds are carefully dried for 20 to 30 days, with constant monitoring to ensure quality. (During this stage, the collector already performs pre-drying)
- Purchase and disposal: riverside dwellers sell their seeds, which are transported to processing plants, on a journey that can last up to 10 days.
- Storage and sorting: upon arriving at the processing center, the seeds undergo rigorous selection to guarantee their origin and quality.
- Extraction and filtration: the seeds are crushed, cooked and pressed to obtain crude oil, which undergoes purification processes.
- Decantation: the oil is stored in a controlled environment for two days (if necessary) for final filtration, eliminating impurities.
- Packaging and distribution: The final product is carefully packaged and sent to be distributed throughout the country.
Challenges and impact of climate change
Behind this structured chain, there are growing challenges. Climate change has had a direct impact on production. The andiroba harvest, which historically takes place in January, had to be postponed due to the extreme droughts that affected the region. These climate events put at risk not only production, but also the lives of the communities that depend on it.
Furthermore, Jandira highlights the difficulty of accessing the location where the seeds are located, due to the lack of adequate transportation. She also highlights that in the processing process, the communities need more coconut dryers and breakers.
Collective strength and transformative partnerships
The Médio Juruá community is an inspiring example of social organization and collective strength. With entities such as ASPROC, ASMAMJ, AMECSARA and ASPODEX, the region stands out for its ability to guarantee a quality product and keep the forest standing. In addition, they all work together to seek alternatives to improve income conditions and
Since 2017, Sitawi has been raising and managing financial contributions for the Médio Juruá Territory Program (PTMJ). It also participates in its design and programmatic implementation in partnership with grassroots organizations and local authorities (TMJ Forum, AMAB, AMARU, AMECSARA, ASMAMJ, ASPROC, ASPODEX, ACFRC and CODAEMJ).
The initiative has the Partners for the Amazon Platform (PPA), Mott Foundation, the Green Climate Fund and Natura as financing partners. It also has institutional partnerships with Alliance Biodiversity and CIAT, the Floresta+ Amazônia Project, UNDP and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA). The program brings together and supports projects led by the territory, strengthening associations through community-based social organization and supporting the local bioeconomy, in addition to actions for territorial protection, governance, female entrepreneurship and youth.
The oil chain in Médio Juruá is an example of how sustainable extraction can generate income, strengthen the autonomy of communities and keep the forest standing.
“Over the years, we have seen significant progress in structuring this chain, from improving plants to training extractivists, especially women, the main guardians of this traditional knowledge. Supporting this process ensures that development happens in a fair way and in line with the conservation of the Amazon,” says Ronna Santos, coordinator of Territorial Programs at Sitawi.
More than cosmetics, a cycle of positive impact
When we use a moisturizer with ingredients from the Amazon, we are connecting with a rich history of tradition, sustainability and resistance. The oilseed chain of the Médio Juruá, in addition to boosting the local economy, also protects the forest and values the ancestral knowledge of the communities.
This is a powerful example of how biodiversity and social entrepreneurship can go hand in hand, creating a fairer and more sustainable future.
Meet the protagonists of this story
Amaru: Created in 2006, Amaru's mission is to strengthen the community of the Uacari Reserve through plant extraction. By purchasing andiroba and murumuru seeds, the association directly improves the quality of life of riverside families. At PTMJ, its initiatives include the acquisition of new machinery, logistics for purchasing seeds, marketing and training.
CODAEMJ: Having worked for 24 years to strengthen agroextractivism, CODAEMJ has become a reference in the production of vegetable oils. Officially transformed into a cooperative in 2013, it provides income for many women in the region. In addition to its modern infrastructure, its greatest differential is the appreciation of traditional knowledge, combining technology and ancestral wisdom to preserve the forest and improve the lives of communities.
