The açaí supply chain: a Brazilian case study on the main risks of fruit growing.

Abstract

Agribusiness is a thriving sector of the world and Brazilian economy. But despite its constant growth, the Brazilian fruit-growing supply chain, and in particular the one in Pará through the açaí fruit, faces interruption challenges due to the high perishability of the fruit. This article develops a framework with the main risks of interruption in the fruit-growing supply chain, based on a survey of managers in the state of Pará, the world's largest producer of açaí, who work in the cultivation, harvesting, production and marketing of the fruit. This is a qualitative study of multiple cases, consisting of semi-structured interviews, the results of which showed that the açaí supply chain is highly susceptible to interruption, since of the 13 risks mapped, only 2 are not applicable to the açaí chain. Despite the vulnerability of the açaí supply chain, managers do not use any risk management methods or processes.