Banca de DEFESA: NATALY FREIRE DE OLIVEIRA

Commercialization in Short Circuits: A Study on Price Formation and Economic Viability of Agroecological-Based 

Family Production in Seropédica-RJ

Organic agriculture. Agroecology. Pricing formation. Economic viability.

The main objective of this case study was to understand how the sales prices of family farming products are formed in short marketing circuits. Additionally, the economic viability of organic production and the agroecological transition of three stallholders at the Family Agriculture Fair at UFRRJ was investigated, from May 2023 to February 2024. The research techniques were qualitative and quantitative in nature. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 17 stallholders who participated in the FAF in 2023, and the participant observation method was used, as the author was part of the FAF group while working as a Resident in Agronomy. To analyze economic viability, revenues and production and marketing costs were collected in different marketing channels. It was inferred that FAF producers record production costs in an incipient manner, so that the prices charged are not always in line with the desired financial return. Prices are formed by coordination between agents in the sales channels – producers and managers and also have as a reference the prices charged in retail in long circuits. For the production of fresh fruits and vegetables, labor is the biggest cost involved, followed by transportation, inputs and depreciation of machinery. For processed items, the variable costs of ingredients contribute to the largest share of expenses. The diversification of direct sales channels, organic certification and marketing networks formed from the participatory guarantee system positively influence the economic viability of small family production.