The internationalization of food systems in the context of the Anthropocene has intensified socio-environmental pressures on tropical products. This study analyzes the environmental and social impacts of the global expansion of açaí (Euterpe oleracea), a palm native to the Amazon that has evolved from a traditional staple of Indigenous and riverine communities into a globally traded “superfood,” through a narrative review. The results indicate that açaí’s integration into global markets has led to land-use changes, deforestation, biodiversity loss, increased water demand, and greater use of agrochemicals. On the social level, challenges include precarious working conditions, gender and generational inequalities, and unequal benefit distribution. Despite the strategic role of family cooperatives in fostering territorial resilience, they still face technical, financial, and institutional barriers. The study underscores the urgency of integrated policies, accessible socio-environmental certifications, and multiscalar governance models to align commercial expansion with sustainability, equity, and food security. • Global expansion of açaí consumption exerts environmental pressure on the Amazon. • Intensified production poses major challenges for local sustainability. • Social vulnerabilities persist, including evidence of child labour. • Family cooperatives support inclusive and sustainable practices. • Integrated policies and socio-environmental certifications are urgently needed.
Ardenghi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.