PRESENT SITUATION OF THE BRAZILIAN AGRIBUSINESS OF VEGETABLE CROPS AND ITS FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

This paper describes the current situation of the vegetable crops in the Brazilian agribusiness in order to supply a growing demand for information in this area. Some data on volume, participation and economic value of vegetable crops production of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, the more important productive states of Brazil southeast region, are shown. This paper also describes the main characteristics of the market of potato, tomato, carrot, onion and garlic in São Paulo, responsible for more than 30% of the sales in the Brazilian wholesale market. New tendencies of vegetable crops consumption are discussed, such as minimally processed, organic products, frozen and superfrozen, canned and conserves, dehydrated and lyophilized vegetables. Changes in the distribution structure of vegetable crops in wholesale and retail markets are also considered and discussed, especially the growing participation of supermarkets in the retail market sales. A projection on food consumption for the different socioeconomic classes was constructed based on different economic growth rates, consumption and population increase. The vegetable crop agribusiness in Brazil has good prospects for all the involved segments due to the increase in consumption and the demand for high quality and diversification of products.