The Challenges of Marketing Organic Products: leafy vegetables in the Municipal Organic Market in Petrolina-PE

Abstract

The offer of organic vegetables, such as leafy vegetables, is increasingly frequent in small community fairs, such as the one that takes place at the Municipal Organic Market in Petrolina-PE. Considering that the research points to losses in the process that involves the post-harvest and commercialization of in natura products, but need to be more frequent in interior cities, the present study aimed to verify the existence of losses in the commercialization of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), chives (Allium schoenoprasum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and kale (Brassica oleracea) among four producers that sell in the market. The methodology used was a field study with site visits during the fairs from 02/27/2022 to 03/27/2022 and conducting an interview with the producers. Although the results have pointed to low levels of losses in the sale of leafy vegetables in the market, they have elucidated some determining factors of the same, which need to be corrected to improve the activity in the place. It is noteworthy that the low quantity of losses identified during the study may be correlated with the cooperation present in the group, the friendly relationship between the group and the customers, the small number of products offered, or the fact that they are organic being well evaluated by consumers.