Perfil de consumidores e produtores de hortaliças no município de Xaxim-SC

Abstract

Knowing the profile of the final consumer contributes strongly to directing the 32 production and potential commercialization of various vegetables. The objective of this 33 research is to characterize the profile of consumers and vegetables producers in Xaxim 34 city, Santa Catarina. The study was carried out in Xaxim city, Santa Catarina, through the 35 application of structured interviews, which were carried out with consumers and 36 producers of vegetables. The population sample size was calculated according to the 37 Raosoft® online tool, reaching the values of 96 consumers and 28 producers. It was 38 observed that the five most consumed vegetables in Xaxim are: lettuce, tomato, carrots, 39 broccoli and potatoes. It was found that 83.89% of consumers buy vegetables weekly. 40 Quality and appearance are the most observed attributes at the time of purchase. 41 Supermarkets are the preferred shopping places and the average amount spent per 42 month by most consumers does not exceed R$199.00. Consumers care about where 43 vegetables come from and would pay a higher price if the quality were better. 44 Approximately 68% of consumers does not changed their consumption habits during the 45 pandemic. It was observed that 80% of the producers have less than ten hectares of area. 46 The workforce is predominantly family-owned. The most used cultivation systems are: 47 open field, protected and hydroponics. Weather and pests are the biggest difficulties. 48 Approximately 80% of producers suffered impacts on the production and marketing of 49 products during the pandemic, so productive and commercial strategies were 50 implemented to face it.