Tucumã is an Amazonian palm tree. The raw pulp of the fruit is edible and highly appreciated as sandwich filling in local culinary. The pulp of high nutritional value has significant vitamin A content. This study aimed to evaluate aspects of the trade of tucumã fruit and pulp at fairs and markets of Manaus. During the one-year study, the provenances and price variation of the fruits were registered and estimated the amount delivered to six markets and fairs of Manaus. Data on provenance, quantity, value, and related information were obtained by applying monthly a semi-structured questionnaire to the salesmen. The real price and its historical evolution since 1995 were deduced by comparison with previous studies. Between May 2011 and April 2012, the fruits came from 20 different provenances, within a distance of up to thousand km from Manaus. The most cited sources were the municipalities of Itacoatiara, Terra Santa, Rio Preto da Eva, Autazes and the Madeira River Basin. The alternation of the provenances guaranteed continuous supply throughout the year. However a lesser number of provenances and a narrow market of the fruits were stated between September and November. The seasonality of supply was reflected in the values of fruit and pulp. During the 12 months were traded a total of 367.8 tons of fruits, at a monthly average of 30.7 tons. About half (53%) of this amount was peeled during the working hours of the salesmen and only the pulp was offered for sale. In this study and as far as information was available, tucumã was always one of the most expensive fruits of the Manaus markets. Between 1995 and 2012 actual values had increased substantially, as of the bag (230%) with about 41 kg, the dozen of fruits (316%) and the pulp kg (253%). The results show that the tucumã trade continues to expand. The demand seems to be greater than the supply and an increase in fruit production is needed.
Central Amazon; non timber forest products; palm; market
