Becoming an açaí distributor: cold chain, MOQ and margin questions to ask

Distributing açaí means buying frozen product from Brazil, holding it at -18°C or colder, and selling it on to cafés, bowl shops, hotels, retailers or manufacturers. The opportunity is real, but the risks sit in three places: the cold chain, the minimum order, and the margin left after landed costs. This guide lists the questions to settle with any supplier before you commit. It does not give prices: those depend on your volumes, route and market.

1. Decide what you will distribute

• Frozen açaí pulp for kitchens that blend, juice and smoothie brands, and manufacturers. Terrapure packs: 1.5 kg pot and 10 kg pail.
• Açaí sorbet for counters that scoop and serve. Açaí Scoop Traditional: 10L, 5L and 2.6L tubs; Açaí with Guaraná sizes confirmed with your quote.
• Açaí powder for dry blends and manufacturers.

Carrying both pulp and sorbet lets you serve blenders and scoopers from one freezer route. See açaí for distributors and açaí sorbet for foodservice distributors.

2. Cold chain questions

1. What is the storage temperature for each product, and is it shipped in reefer containers held at that temperature? Terrapure frozen pulp and sorbet are stored at -18°C.
2. Who is responsible for temperature records from loading to your door, and will you get the logger data?
3. What is the frozen shelf life, and how much of it will be left on arrival? Ask for this in writing with each quote.
4. Do you have frozen storage at the port of entry, and a frozen route to customers? Use our cold storage and receiving checklist guides.

3. Minimum order questions

1. What is the minimum order per shipment, per product and per size?
2. Can pulp and sorbet, or different tub sizes, be mixed in one container or pallet?
3. How many cases fit a pallet, and pallets a container, for each format?
4. What is the lead time from purchase order to dispatch?

Terrapure confirms minimums, pallet build and lead time in each quote rather than publishing them, because they depend on format and route.

4. Margin questions

Your margin is your selling price minus your landed cost. Build the landed cost line by line before you agree a price:

• product price on the quoted Incoterm (for example ex works, FOB or CIF);
• freight, insurance and reefer surcharges if not included;
• import duty and VAT or sales tax for your market;
• clearance, port, inspection and documentation fees;
• frozen storage per pallet per week, and local frozen delivery;
• wastage and any label changes for your market.

Then ask: who are your target customers, what do they pay today, and how fast will each pallet sell? Slow-moving frozen stock costs storage every week. Our guide to sourcing Brazilian açaí for foodservice distribution goes further.

5. Documents and labels

• Product specifications and certificates of analysis: ask for them with the quote.
• Organic: Terrapure's frozen pulp and powder are organic, with the certificate available on request. The sorbet is not sold as organic.
• Labels in your market's language and any caffeine wording for Açaí with Guaraná: agree these before the first order. See import documentation.

6. Compare more than one supplier

Ask every supplier the same questions and compare answers in writing. Our supplier comparison checklist and how to choose an organic açaí supplier help structure that.

Distributor product pages: açaí pulp for distributors · foodservice distributors · Brazilian açaí exporter.

Questions buyers ask

What does an açaí distributor need first?

Frozen storage at -18°C or colder, a frozen delivery route to customers, an importer able to clear food in your market, and a supplier who confirms minimums, lead times and documents in writing.

What is the minimum order to distribute Terrapure açaí?

Minimums depend on product, size and route, so Terrapure confirms them in each quote rather than publishing them.

Can I distribute both pulp and sorbet?

Yes. Terrapure quotes organic frozen pulp, powder and Açaí Scoop sorbet together or separately. Whether formats can be mixed in one shipment is confirmed in the quote.

Does Terrapure publish distributor prices?

No. Pricing is quoted per order based on product, volume and delivery point.

Can I get samples before committing?

Samples are not currently available. Ask us for the spec sheet and product details.

Request distributor pricing

Related: açaí for distributors · compare açaí suppliers · sorbet for foodservice distributors · sourcing for foodservice distribution · how to import frozen açaí