Acaì Berry - Consumer News  

Feb. 2009 - Bill Crimi

Acaí Berry – (ah-sigh-ee) The United States has seen an explosion of Acai based products being marketed in a variety of ways within the past two years, by numerous (overnight start-up) companies looking to cash in ‘big’ on the Acai phenomena. Buyer BEWARE…most of you are getting ‘too little’ for the money they are charging you.

     The problem is not with Acai…it is a very beneficial fruit to add to your diet if health conscious. The high anti-oxidant level of the acai berry, including omega 3, 6 and 9 with vitamin C content in the 15% range (450 mg per 3 g of powder) does indeed make this Brazilian fruit a powerhouse. The problem is with most suppliers…they are plainly charging exorbitant prices for the purple berry, in an attempt to maximize profit from the tiny amount of product they package.

     AHhhh…sigh….EEeeeee…that is what the high prices make so many of us cry out in exasperation…Most of the those little packaged powders contain on average 90 grams of product (about three ounces) and the price easily exceeds $30. a jar. The hawkers usually recommend a 3 gram serving (1-2 teaspoons depending upon how finely its ground) They then are rightfully able to state that the jar will yield thirty servings, making you…the consumer, feel as if you might be getting your money’s worth (wow, a months supply)…but you are not…it’s just a little sneaky trick.

     Would you pay $160.00 a pound for a bunch of berries at the supermarket? Well…if you are buying 90 grams of acai for $30. - $35.00 dollars, that is about what you are paying per pound at retail for acai from those scam artists…($160.00) One ounce=28.5grams.

     Now, here is what those greedy minded companies are going to really get pissed at me about for telling you…they are marking up their wholesale price to the consumer by over 700%...Pretty good profit, huh? Yes you are typically, paying 700% or higher mark-up for acai. But…you don’t have to…not anymore. How? Easy...start buying acai in bulk, just as you can do with herbs.   

     The supply chain from Brazil and Central America has opened up over the past year or so. It isn’t difficult for herb dealers to find and purchase acai at wholesale anymore, and they are doing it. The only problem for you, the consumer, might be in finding a bulk herb store in your neighborhood these days. Many have closed up shop, unable to compete with the large vitamin, and health-food franchises. But, they still remain…mostly online these days. They may have a small web-site with a store feature, for you to make purchases, or perhaps they have a presence on ebay.

     There are still…a few of us left. The people who you might have been able to find in small Health-Food shops years ago in most neighborhoods. People who have a true respect for the average consumer. People who truly care about the customer, their health and pocketbooks as well. We are the dinosaurs – so to speak- the experienced people who ran little shops with the best knowledge regarding alternative health products and practices. We are not the Johnny-come-lately, pitch-men that you are commonly exposed to on cable TV and all over the internet these days, trying to relieve you of your hard earned cash with wild claims of “miracle, new cures” at exorbitant prices. Those types have always been around too…the cure-all snake-oil salesmen…

End Note: The “concentrated” acai is not a concentrated extract that is being sold out there on websites…so, don’t let that fool you either into paying higher prices. The concentrated powder, is simply the berry, minus the seeds, mashed then dried (usually freeze-dried) and ground into a powder. Some powder is more finely ground than others, but it is all sold by weight, not volume.

     Also…carefully read the labeling; some companies are adding other cheaper product just to increase their profit. Not that it’s a bad thing to manufacture, promote or sell ‘mixes’ some have their value…just be sure you know what you are paying for. The ‘Smoothies’ right now seem to be the biggest culprits in this, especially the pre-mixed, bottled varieties. Some juice bars have been doing this for a long time too…typically adding blueberries to their acai smoothies, they add ‘one’ package of acai instead of the recommended ‘two’ that better juice bars use. (It is not un-common)

     I really can’t fault the juice bars though…as long as they aren’t being sneaky about it…they have been victims of high wholesale prices by limited suppliers in the past…making it hard for them to make a decent profit, per smoothie compared to other flavor varieties.

Bill Crimi - Copyright Feb. 2009

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