HomeRural DevelopmentRural Agroindustry (AIR)

Rural Agroindustry

Rural Agroindustry (AIR) is defined as the activity that allows to increase and retain, in the rural zones, the value-added production values of rural economies, through the execution of post-production tasks, such as selection, washing, classification, storage, conservation, processing, packing, transport and commercialization, of agricultural, sea and forest products.

Rural agroindustry and marketing chains

In general, commercialization in rural agroindustries has had an empirical development and the alternatives adopted by the most innovating enterprises in this field are strategies in the way to overcome the multiple problems found in the sale of products. In spite of not counting on sophisticated methods of market information, the small producers identify commercialization as a key element related to consumer and the type of product.

There is heterogeneity in the way in which the AIR assumes the challenge. The majority, due to their own characteristics, does not insert easily in the formal market economy and works within little-known and studied commercial circuits. Much of the sale is done at home, between neighbors, in grocery or local stores, town-fairs, highway sides, in street sales and intermediaries. At the same time, a smaller group of AIR has managed to insert themselves into modern local commercialization circuits, handle quality, normalization and customer service concepts; they distribute their products in supermarkets and/or provide inputs to other industries. Others have inserted themselves into export channels, mainly through the denominated alternative trade or fair trade, or by means of certification and quality seals or denomination of origin.

For further information contact:
Florence Tartanac
Agroindustry Officer