Businesses linked to the socio-bioeconomy are already generating millions of reais in Brazil, demonstrating that forest conservation can go hand in hand with income generation. A survey conducted by Conexsus – Instituto Conexões Sustentáveis (Sustainable Connections Institute) indicates that a group of enterprises supported by the organization recorded gross revenue of R$ 130 million, with the sale of 6,600 tons of socio-biodiversity products. The mapping gathers data from more than 100 community businesses monitored by Conexsus in different Brazilian biomes. These enterprises operate mainly in production chains such as açaí, cocoa, Brazil nuts, and other Amazonian fruits, which have gained market share and contributed to strengthening the so-called forest economy. The data refers to operations carried out in 2025 and are part of the organization's monitoring system, which tracks the economic, social, and environmental results of the community businesses supported by the institution. In addition to the economic impact, the survey indicates significant effects on environmental conservation. According to the data, the activities of these businesses are associated with the conservation and sustainable use of approximately 2.5 million hectares of land, much of it located in the Amazon. The study also shows the diversity of products marketed by community organizations. Among the items with the highest production volume are açaí, cocoa and its derivatives, as well as Brazil nuts, fruit pulps, sweets, cassava and its derivatives, and other products of Brazilian socio-biodiversity. The numbers also indicate growth in these initiatives. From 2023 to 2025, the annual revenue of the monitored businesses increased by 81%, reflecting advances in the productive organization, management, and marketing capacity of community organizations. "The data collected by Conexsus highlights the magnitude of community-based businesses and their decisive role in generating income for communities. Even so, working to strengthen these ventures, so that we can have an increasingly mature and comprehensive business ecosystem, is a fundamental strategy for the socio-bioeconomy to consolidate itself as a protagonist in different rural and forest territories. It is towards this horizon that we aim our actions and strategies at Conexsus," assesses Pedro Frizo, Director of Programs and Financial Innovation at Conexsus. According to Conexsus, the survey does not represent the entire universe of the socio-bioeconomy in the country, but it highlights the segment's potential to generate local income and stimulate productive models that keep the forest standing. With a presence in different Brazilian regions and biomes, community-based businesses show that the socio-bioeconomy can consolidate itself as an alternative for sustainable development, combining environmental conservation, valorization of biodiversity products, and income generation for traditional peoples and communities.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.