The pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) is the most emblematic fruit of the Cerrado — and one of the greatest unexplored opportunities of Brazilian bioeconomy. A cultural food from the interior of Minas Gerais, Goiás, and Mato Grosso, the pequi is conquering gourmet markets in the capitals and internationally as an exotic, cosmetic, and functional ingredient.
The market for pequi oil for cosmetics and artisanal pickled pequi is growing over 30% per year — driven by Brazilian regional cuisine in large cities and international interest in Cerrado ingredients. A native pequi tree produces 200 to 500 fruits per year and can generate income for 50 to 100 years without replanting.
When pequi is collected sustainably, processed into differentiated products, and marketed with Cerrado identity, this segment can greatly contribute to job and income generation in Brazil.
Join our strategic actions for the implementation of the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover 20 chains and the 255 segments of the national agribusiness — from the grain chain to sustainable extractivism, passing through horticulture, fruit growing, livestock, and much more.
The Innovation for Brazil to Produce More series was developed precisely to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and worldwide, across the 255 segments of the agricultural sector — with accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, policymakers, and marketers.
1. Opportunities for Small Rural Producers
How to organize sustainable pequi collection and maximize full utilization
The pequi is collected from native trees in the Cerrado — sustainable extractivism that does not require deforestation or planting. The collective organization of the collection and the processing close to the area of collection are the main challenges and opportunities for family farmers in the Cerrado.
✔ Collection of naturally fallen fruits — never cut down; preservation of native trees
✔ Immediate processing after collection — pequi ferments quickly at high temperatures
✔ Pequi oil: extraction of pulp by cold pressing — a high-value product
✔ Pickled pequi: pulp in oil or natural in glass — gastronomic identity
✔ PRONAF Forestry and Cerrado Fund for sustainable extractivism projects
The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for the Small Rural Producer details the best solutions for this segment and 254 others in Brazilian agribusiness — focusing on methods, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0. Access now for BRL 99.00 →
2. Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers
What equipment does the pequi chain demand for full processing
Pequi processing requires oil presses and canning pots — low-cost equipment that multiplies the value of the fruit by 10 to 50×.
Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment
Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain requires solutions in all of them:
Electrical Engineering and Computing — electric pequi oil presses; temperature control;
Electronic Engineering and IoT — oil quality sensors; traceability of collection;
Control and Automation Engineering — canning pots for pequi; pasteurization control;
Mechatronics Engineering and Robotics — pulp and seed separators; canning machines;
Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for processing in Cerrado communities;
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — mapping of native production; traceability of origin.
✔ Pequi oil presses for Cerrado cooperatives
✔ Canning pots and bottling machines for pickled pequi in glass
✔ Off-grid solar for processing in remote communities
✔ Sustainable collection traceability for certification
✔ Consulting on sanitary registration for pequi products
The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for Micro and Small Local Suppliers maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services. Access now for BRL 99.00 →
3. Opportunities for Municipal Governments
How the municipality can support pequi as a cultural product and bioeconomy
The pequi is the strongest cultural symbol of the Minas Gerais and Goiás Cerrado — and municipalities such as Buritizeiro, Lontra, and Cocalzinho have the pequi as a gastronomic identity of national reach.
✔ Municipal cooperative for processing oil and pickled pequi
✔ PNAE with local rice with pequi for school meals — cultural identity
✔ Pequi Festival — regional identity and gastronomic tourism
✔ IG of Cerrado Pequi — designation of origin for certified product
✔ Municipal IDM: income generated by pequi extractivism as an indicator
The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents step-by-step guidance for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agribusiness. Access now for BRL 99.00 →
4. Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Merchants
How pequi generates business for emporiums, restaurants, and the gourmet market
The virgin pequi oil is the highest value product per kg of the chain — sold at R$ 80 to R$ 150/100ml in natural and cosmetic stores, with unique emollient properties and the appeal of Cerrado biodiversity. The raw material costs R$ 1 to R$ 3/fruit.
The artisanal pickled pequi in glass reaches R$ 25 to R$ 60 per jar in gourmet emporiums and regional restaurants in the capitals — an absolutely cultural identity product that no industrial can replicate with the same authenticity.
Products with high commercial potential
The main products derived from this segment for local retail and foodservice:
Cold-pressed virgin pequi oil — premium cosmetic and culinary; R$ 80 to R$ 150/100ml;
Artisanal pickled pequi in glass — high-value cultural product; emporiums and restaurants;
Pequi butter — natural cosmetic for hair and skin;
Rice with pequi in artisanal packaging — ready product of regional identity;
Artisanal pequi liqueur — gourmet drink from the Cerrado;
Dehydrated pequi — premium cultural snack.
Merchant profiles and their specific opportunities
✔ Emporiums and natural stores: pequi oil and artisanal pickles — Cerrado identity
✔ Regional restaurants in the capitals: fresh pequi and pickles for typical dishes
✔ Natural cosmetics: pequi oil — high-value exotic ingredient
✔ Digital platforms: Cerrado flavors kit with pequi, baru, and jelly
✔ Exporters: pequi oil for European and American cosmetics
✔ Natural pharmacies: pequi oil for cosmetic use
Growth strategies for the local merchant
The cooperative of women gatherers of pequi who process virgin oil, pickles, and butter with sustainable extractivism certification has access to the international cosmetic market — which pays a premium for the exotic Cerrado ingredient with traceability and proven social impact.
The National Forest Development Fund and the BNB/FNE finance projects. The SEBRAE subsidizes certification and access to markets. The Pronampe covers working capital.
The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for Small Agricultural Product Merchants maps 30 merchant profiles and details growth opportunities in all 255 segments of agribusiness. Access now for BRL 99.00 →
Innovation and Technology Network
By purchasing any e-book in the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups with 30 members can organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and worldwide.
✔ Small Rural Producers
✔ Micro and Small Supplier Companies
✔ Municipal Governments
✔ Small Merchants of Agricultural Products
⭐ Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.
Sincerely,
Ivo Alves
CEO · Master in Electrical Engineering and Computing · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management
Faculty: IFPB and UFRN · 38 years of experience in Engineering
Written by
Equipe Editorial
Content Team
Nossa equipe de especialistas compartilhando conhecimento.
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