Peruvian Camu Cam

by | Dec 23, 2025 | Agribusiness, Peru, Peru Export, Peruvian Products

Camu Camu bowl in a wooden table

Camu Camu: The Amazonian Treasure Peru Must Protect and Promote

Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a Peruvian Amazonian fruit that has attracted international attention due to its extraordinary vitamin C content and wide range of health benefits. This small reddish-purple fruit, which grows naturally along the rivers of the Amazon rainforest, represents not only a nutritional gem but also an opportunity for sustainable development for local communities. In a global context that increasingly values natural and functional foods, camu camu is emerging as a superfood with great potential. For this reason, Peru must promote its exports and protect them as part of its natural heritage, recognizing not only their nutritional and economic value but also their environmental and cultural significance.

Camu Camu over a white background

The main argument in favor of promoting camu camu lies in its exceptional nutritional and medicinal properties. According to the official portal Peru Info, camu camu contains up to 60 times more vitamin C than an orange, making it one of the richest natural sources of this essential micronutrient, which is crucial for strengthening the immune system and preventing respiratory illnesses. Scientific research, such as studies published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (PMC4296744), indicates that its high levels of ascorbic acid and polyphenolic antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress, slow cellular aging, and protect against metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, regular consumption has been shown to positively affect blood sugar regulation and inflammation, according to the American Pharmacists Association (Pharmacist.com). These properties make camu camu a powerful natural ally for health, capable of competing in the global market with other well-established superfoods such as açaí and blueberries.

Another key argument is its economic and social potential as a sustainable export product. Camu camu grows mainly in the Amazonian regions of Loreto, Ucayali, and Madre de Dios, where it provides a source of income for hundreds of families who depend on its harvesting and processing. According to Peru Info and the Rostliny z Peru portal, international demand for this fruit—in the form of powder, capsules, or extracts—has increased in markets such as the United States, Japan, and Germany, driven by the global trend toward natural supplements. Its versatility allows for multiple forms of commercialization: fresh, dehydrated, in juices, jams, or oil, which expands its commercial opportunities. If the Peruvian government promotes policies that support technified cultivation, industrial processing, and organic certification, camu camu could become one of the country’s most profitable superfoods, generating rural employment and diversifying agricultural exports beyond coastal regions.

However, some critics argue that expanding camu camu production faces logistical and environmental limitations. Its harvest depends on specific hydrological conditions in Amazonian rivers, making large-scale production challenging. In addition, the lack of infrastructure for processing and preserving the fresh fruit reduces its international competitiveness. As noted by Global Healing (2024), the rainforest’s high humidity and the fruit’s short shelf life lead to high transportation and storage costs. Added to this is the risk of overexploitation and biodiversity loss if sustainable management mechanisms are not established. These challenges suggest that Peru must proceed cautiously, prioritizing ecological sustainability and scientific research before pursuing indiscriminate commercial expansion.

Camu Camu tree and leaves

Despite these obstacles, the solution does not lie in halting its development, but rather in promoting comprehensive management that combines sustainability, innovation, and heritage protection. Camu camu not only has enormous potential as a superfood but also represents part of the Amazon’s ancestral knowledge of medicinal plants. Peru can lead responsible production through incentives for local cooperatives, ecological certifications, and international marketing campaigns that highlight its Peruvian origin. Likewise, support for agro-industrial research could optimize cultivation methods, improve product quality, and reduce environmental impact.

Protecting camu camu as part of Peru’s natural heritage does not mean restricting its commercialization, but rather ensuring that economic benefits are distributed fairly and that the Amazonian biodiversity from which it originates is preserved.

Camu Camu Fruit

Conclusion

Camu camu symbolizes the union between Peru’s natural wealth and the economic potential of global superfoods. Its high nutritional value, antioxidant properties, and ability to boost rural economies make it a strategic resource for the country. Although its development faces logistical and environmental challenges, these can be overcome through responsible public policies and partnerships between the government, local communities, and the private sector. Peru must take the lead in promoting camu camu internationally and protect it as an essential part of its Amazonian and cultural heritage.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Luis Henry Contreras Del Aguila
Food Industries Engineer Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva- Tingo Maria- Peru
Master in Agribusiness Administration ESAN University – Lima-Peru
CEO, Country Agribusiness

REFERENCES