Caracterização da cadeia agroindustrial da soja na região do Alto Uruguai gaúcho e análise das inter-relações de seus agentes participantes

Abstract

The intention ofthepresent project is to characterize the agroindustrial chain ofthesoy inthe área ofAlto Uruguai, state ofRio Grande do Sul, as well as to analyze in a descriptive way its' participant agents' interrelations. The theoretical focus is based onthe conception of agroindustry chains, because this makes a possible and detailed analysis of contexts interconnected to the agricultural segment with the industry. Through tools proposed by qualitative research, the agents' of the productive chains strategic behavior was investigated, as well as its characterization. One worked with the área of the Alto Uruguai gaúcho, (one ofthe pioneers inthis section) due to importance that the sojicultura possesses in the regional economy. The confíguration of the agroindustrial chain in subject is characterized by the presence of two constituent blocks in both segments. The segment is fírst represented by the distributors/merchants and the cooperatives, that interconnect the industries with theproducers. The second are the cerealistas and also the cooperatives, that make the connection with the industries producing processores. The principly located fírst and second industries are not located in lhe área in study, having however, a structural context very well mounted among the other segments. The reality ofthe rural establishments is ofsmall property, being ofmost, working with the sojicultura for trade and other activities for subsistence. Although it is considered that the sojicultura will tend to disappear in the South of Brazil, in theáre ao fanalysis it was verifíed that ifthat happens, it won*t be in a short or médium period, because the tradition in reference with cultivation is very big. Besides, for the profítability that the soy still provides, there is no other activity that equals. Even with the constant reductions inprofits inali the segments and withthe lackofpolitical support, the professionalization was detected as one of the growing elements, especially in how it plays a major part in the administration ofthe activity. In general, the lack of integration among the sections of the agroindustrial chain ofthe soy in the área is a problem that has direct interference in the competitiveness and because of this, the associative processes should be more present.