LOCAL PRODUCTION ARRANGEMENT OF IRRIGATED FRUIT CULTURE IN THE LOWER SÃO FRANCISCO RIVER, PERNAMBUCO/BAHIA: COMMERCIAL FLOWS AND LOCAL DYNAMICS

Abstract

The lower São Francisco river is an important area comprising municipalities in the states of Pernambuco and Bahia, Brazil. Local economical dynamics enhances Irrigated Fruit Culture and Grape Culture with important production and innovation arrangements. Current article analyzes the commercial flux of fruit culture activities since an important characteristic of the Local Production Arrangement (LPA) comprises the economic, political and institutional relation with territory outsiders. LPA is inserted within the context of the national and global market. The theoretical section appropriates mainly the RedeSist/UFRJ arguments and methodologies. Institutional data bases are used to obtain information of produce, national and international commercial flux and agriculture and livestock census. Data analyze the commercial fluxes of mangoes, grapes, coconuts and melons. LPA within the international flux is susceptible to changes in the economic scenario of the main consumers of the products, namely, the United States and European countries, causing dependence. Analysis of the interstate flow shows that it is not merely an alternative in periods of international crisis but also a potential market. Results show that other issues hinder development, such as the absence of improvements in logistics and innovation policies.