The Tale of Green Gold
1970s – The Gift That Would Change the Future (1975)
In a moment filled with symbolism and hope, researcher Ítalo Cláudio Falesi, from Embrapa Eastern Amazon (Belém, Brazil), received eight small seeds from the hands of an African diplomat. They came from Côte d’Ivoire with a prophetic message: “Plant them. This will be the gold of the future.” At that moment, a story of deep roots and immeasurable value began.
1980s – The First Roots of a Dream
The seeds were carefully planted in Embrapa’s garden, in Belém. The rich, generous Amazonian soil welcomed these noble foreign guests with warmth. Delicate seedlings began to sprout — fragile, yet full of promise. It was the quiet beginning of a forest that would reshape the Brazilian forestry landscape.
1990s – Scientific Discovery and New Hope
As the trees grew strong and healthy, Embrapa technicians initially classified the species as Khaya ivorensis, but soon confirmed it was the noble Khaya grandifoliola. Small-scale producers began to show interest. African mahogany emerged as a sustainable alternative to Brazilian mahogany, whose exploitation was becoming increasingly restricted.
2000s – An Exotic, Powerful, and Luxurious Wood
Driven by a vision of a green and profitable future, pioneers like Hiroshi Okajima began the first commercial plantations. Several companies emerged, and the market started to recognize African mahogany as a sophisticated wood, tailored for a discerning audience attentive to sustainability and design.
2010s – Structure, First Harvests, and Union of Producers
In 2011, the Brazilian Association of African Mahogany Producers (ABPMA) was founded, bringing together efforts to promote cultivation, marketing, and technical exchange among producers. Between 10 and 12 years after planting, the first selective thinnings began, generating young wood for the domestic market. Plantations expanded into states like Minas Gerais and Pará, attracting investment from larger groups.
2020s – Global Recognition and Forest Maturity
After two decades of growth, the first plantations reached maturity for final harvests, between 17 and 20 years. Brazilian Khaya wood gained international recognition, used in high-end furniture, luxury utensils, and refined architectural projects. Brazil emerged as a global leader in African mahogany cultivation, with over 70,000 hectares planted — and the world began to value what, decades earlier, was just a seed.