Characterization of the “trading network” for fruit and horticultural produce in the municipality of Veranópolis, Rio Grande do Sul State

Abstract

This work was undertaken with the aim of characterizing the “trading network” for fruit and horticultural produce in the municipality of Veranópolis, having the objective of establishing its scale, the products with which it operates, their origin and destination, its relationship to the clients and its economic and social importance. The area of coverage of the “network” includes Rio Grande do Sul, other Brazilian states, principally those in the South and Southeast Regions, and also includes other countries. Many companies specialize in the trading of one or more products, whilst others characterize themselves as multi-product concerns. It is shown that product improvement activities, in the majority of companies, are only just being undertaken, and that there is no great concerns for the quality and integrity of the products. Wastage is high and its control and recording are ineffi cient, requiring changes in the storage and transport sectors. The principal clients of the companies are intermediaries who supply small retail outlets. In the majority, the companies of the fruit and horticultural produce “trading network” are satisfi ed with the production of the primary sector and show interest in obtaining a greater quantity of the produce of the region which they value. To this end, they report the need for the adoption, by the local producers, of modern production techniques, improvement in the quality of the product and an increase in the volume produced. The value given to the local produce, through a greater understanding between the producers and the traders, can bring benefi ts to the members of the supply chain and, principally to the consumers.