As tecnologias utilizadas na produção de açaí e seus benefícios socioeconômicos no Estado do Pará.

Abstract

Açaí (Euterpe Oleracea Mart.) has become the main fruit in Pará in terms of gross value of production and employment generation. The production of the fruit is increasing because of technology management in the floodplain and planting of açaí on land. The objective of this study was to describe the technologies used for production, analyze the dynamics of the açaí market, measure the socio-economic benefits generated by technological changes and assess their distribution between consumers and producers. Results showed that the demand and supply are inelastic to price and that other fruits also sold in the market of Pará are taken as substitutes to açaí. The income elasticity, with a value of 2.36, showed that açaí is a luxury good. The elasticity cost has strong influence on the supply of açaí as the production system is heavily dependent on labor. The elasticity of adjustment showed that the açaí’s production of a given year significantly influences the supply adjustment of the crop for the following year. Socio-economic benefits have increased the welfare of producers and consumers of açaí in the State of Pará. Finally, regarding the distribution of benefits, consumers were the main beneficiaries, with 71.86% of total benefits.