Brazil nuts only thrive in a pristine Amazon rainforest.
They grow best in an untouched primary forest, else yields can fall by 70% in a secondary forest environment.
Surrounding trees and vegetation are not disturbed or removed by farmers as this affects the quantity and quality of the Brazil nut crop.
Keeping the rainforest healthy maintains the bee population who pollinate the flowers. Orchid bees are attracted to the Brazil nut tree as they are strong enough to open the flower and drink its nectar.
Attempts to cultivate brazil nuts outside the rainforest have failed. Meaning all Brazils are grown in their natural environment.
Buying Brazil nuts employs locals and places a value on preserving the rainforest.
If forest communities can make a living keeping the forest healthy there is less of an incentive for destructive processes like mining