Trade channels for organic foods: a study in Southern Brazil

Abstract

This study assessed the trade channels that are used to distribute organic foods, from family farms, to the tables of Brazilian consumers. The objective was to identify the strategies of sustainable farmers with respect to their positioning in the market. Thus, a group of associate family farmers was selected, who have organic certification by audit, composed of seven rural properties, located in the city of Ponta Grossa, state of Paraná, at the Southern Region of Brazil. The collected data were identified at four marketing channels used by organic family farms, varying between direct and indirect marketing channels. The relevance of these trade channels was identified, as well as the characteristics of these channels that influence the farmers in their use. After analyzing the data, it was verified that obtaining organic certification was the best alternative found by farmers to add value to their products. From the point of view of the commercialization of organic foods, the main identified challenges to be overcome are the reduction of the difference in the selling price of organic products compared to conventional products, the lack of public policies to promote the production of organic inputs, and the limit of workforce verified in the work structure.