Objective: Affordable nutrition refers to the relation between nutrient density of foods and their monetary cost. There are limited data on affordable nutrition in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The present study aimed to develop a nutrient density score and nutrient affordability metrics for 377 most consumed foods in Brazil. Design: The foods were aggregated into 7 major food groups and 4 NOVA food categories. Nutrient composition data were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Food prices were obtained from retailer websites and were converted to prices per 100g and 100kcal. The Nutrient Rich Food (NRF8.2) score was based on protein, fiber, vitamins A, C and E, calcium, iron and potassium. Nutrients to limit were sugar and sodium. Affordability was measured as kcal/R$ and nutrients/R$. Results: Grains, fats and sweets were more energy-dense and had lower NRF8.2 scores than dairy, vegetables, and fruits. Grains, fats, and sweets were the lowest-cost sources of calories. Vegetables and fruits, beans, nuts and seeds, and eggs and dairy were the lowest-cost sources of multiple nutrients. Ultra-processed foods (48% of total) had higher energy density and lower NRF8.2 scores than did unprocessed foods. In Brazil, fruits, vegetables and dairy products offered the most nutrients per real. Conclusions: Analysis of the relation between nutrient density of foods and their cost can help identify locally available foods that are nutrient rich, affordable and culturally acceptable. Achieving high nutrient density at an affordable cost should be the goal of Brazil food systems.

Dairy is a highly relevant segment of the Brazilian agribusiness economy. However, this segment has changed significantly after deregulation Thus, it is worthwhile to know what the changes are in the spatial integration of the market and in milk price formation at the farm level after deregulation. The methodology is a modification of Gonzalez-Rivera & Helfand (2001), which is compounded in extension of the market, pattern of integration, and degree of integration. The extension of the market is determined through the measure of self-sufficiency index, unit root test, and Johansen test. The last one is focused on the searching for a common trend between the time series. The pattern of interdependence is studied using the Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). Lastly, the degree of integration is measured by the impulse response functions derived from the Bernanke decomposition. As a result, we found that the milk market in Brazil is composed by Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo. We also discovered that these markets have small speed of adjustment to shocks and there is no leader in milk price formation. Palavras-chaves: integração de mercado, mercado lácteo, formação de preço. KeyClassificação JEL: C22, L11.

The viability of introducing milk futures contracts in Brazil was assessed through a combination of multiple criteria decision analysis and the application of traditional principles from the theory of success and failure of futures trading. Commodity-specific attributes and market-related aspects were analyzed for chilled raw milk, ultra high temperature (UHT) milk, and milk powder. The analytic hierarchy process methodology was used to rank the commodities in terms of their feasibility prospects. Among them, it was ascertained that chilled raw milk is the most suitable for futures trading. Major reasons for this result are the product's high price volatility, the competitive nature of its markets, the absence of competing risk-management tools, and the impossibility of cross-hedging. Complementing the analysis, interviews were conducted with the 100 largest milk producers in the country to assess their perceptions regarding futures trading. Approximately 92% of these farmers expressed an interest in adopting milk futures contracts as price risk management tools. In conclusion, the analysis indicated that the introduction of a milk futures contract in Brazil has a high probability of success. [EconLit citations: Q130, C610, 0220]. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Resumo Um dos maiores problemas atuais da população é a deficiência de nutrientes. Estudos indicam que consumidores consideram o preço dos alimentos mais relevante do que os valores nutricionais. Assim, este trabalho objetivou comparar o custo dos nutrientes de alimentos típicos da dieta brasileira, realizando coletas de preços em mercados virtuais e calculando o custo para se atingir 30% das necessidades diárias de um adulto saudável para oito nutrientes. A carne de frango foi a fonte mais barata de proteína. A fibra de cereal teve o menor custo para fibra e ferro. As fontes mais baratas de cálcio foram o Ovomaltine e os lácteos, e o fígado bovino foi o alimento melhor ranqueado para vitamina A. A vitamina C foi o nutriente mais barato na dieta brasileira, e o suco de acerola a fonte mais barata deste nutriente. Os lácteos ocuparam as seis primeiras posições no “ranking” da vitamina D, e nozes e sementes apresentaram o menor custo para vitamina E. Os resultados mostraram que os consumidores brasileiros podem alcançar a ingestão recomendada de nutrientes considerados críticos a um baixo custo por meio da aquisição dos alimentos melhor ranqueados. No entanto, esse ranqueamento deve ser ponderado em função da qualidade do alimento, conforme preconiza o Novo Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira.

O estado de Minas Gerais está entre os principais produtores de leite de cabra no Brasil, e a Zona da Mata mineira é uma importante região na fabricação de derivados caprinos. Apesar da boa performance como fornecedora, a região apresenta baixo consumo do leite de cabra e, até o momento, nós não conseguimos encontrar nenhum estudo referente ao comportamento de compra dos consumidores desse produto. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os fatores que afetam o consumo do leite de cabra e seus derivados na região da Zona da Mata mineira, assim como delinear o perfil de consumidores e potenciais consumidores desses produtos. A pesquisa contou com a participação de 235 pessoas residentes em vários municípios da região e evidenciou que desconhecimento e falta de hábito de consumo da população são os principais fatores que impedem o crescimento do consumo na região. O fato de o leite de cabra ser considerado um produto saudável é a principal justificativa para sua compra, no entanto, os resultados indicam que idosos com renda mais elevada têm maior propensão a consumir leite de cabra e seus derivados na região. A definição desse público-alvo pode direcionar campanhas de marketing e contribuir para o desenvolvimento desse mercado.

Parte da população apresenta deficiência nutricional devido às más condições de alimentação. O custo dos produtos alimentícios e o desconhecimento dos nutrientes são fatores relevantes para a má nutrição. Selecionar produtos ricos nutricionalmente e com baixo custo são desafios. Este trabalho propõe uma plataforma para captação, organização e visualização de dados e preços dos produtos consumidos. A solução busca, por meio da colaboração de usuários e supermercados, prover informações referentes aos produtos, de modo a apoiar a seleção desses produtos. Como resultado, buscamos mitigar o problema da má nutrição na sociedade. Um estudo de viabilidade foi conduzido a partir dos dados capturados.

Affordable nutrient density is provided by low-cost and nutrient-rich foods. We explored nutrient density, cost, and NOVA category assignments within and across food groups in Brazil. The nutrient density of the foods (n = 591) was assessed using the Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF9.3) based on protein, fiber, vitamin A (RAE), vitamin C, vitamin E (mg), Ca, Fe, K and Mg; and NRF6.3 score for priority nutrients: Ca, Fe, Zn, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and folate. Nutrients to limit (LIM) were saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium. Affordability was defined as the ratio of energy and/or nutrient density of foods and retail price per 100 kcal. Foods were classified as minimally processed (n = 106), processed (n = 188), ultra-processed (n = 286), and culinary ingredients (n = 11). Nutrient density was positively linked to per 100 kcal food cost. Ultra-processed foods (UPF) contained more energy, fat, sugar, and salt and had lower NRF scores compared to minimally processed (MPF) foods. UPF was also less expensive than MPF foods. Nutrient-rich foods below the median per 100 kcal costs included MPF foods, but also processed foods (PF) and UPF. Affordable nutrient-rich foods can be found in the different categories of the NOVA classification.

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