Commercialization of dairy products in supermarkets, bakeries and food outlets in Natal, RN Brazil

Abstract

The number of brands, origin and variety of dairy products sold in the retail sector in Natal RN Brazil, are evaluated. Commercial outlets were classified into large and small stores and data on brands, origin and cheese, yoghurts and milk types, were evaluated by descriptive statistics. Large establishments featured 79 brands and 36 types of cheeses; yoghurts and milk types featured 23 brands, with the types of yoghurts higher than milk types. Small shops were characterized by 23 brands and 11 types of cheese and 15 brands of yoghurt and milk types. Product types followed behavior pattern as that in supermarkets. Regardless of the shop’s size, most cheese brands originated from the state of Minas Gerais, whereas the state of Rio Grande do Norte ranked fourth. It was also reported that most yoghurt and milk brands in both types of markets originated from the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Type of cheese most sold in supermarkets and wholesale networks was Minas cheese, followed by curd and mozzarella cheese; in smaller establishments, however, curd came first and Minas cheese second. Although all brands were found in major supermarkets and also in small shops, the reverse was not true.