Pequi Fruit (Caryocar brasiliense) in Minas Gerais: Commercialization and Public Policy

Abstract

Extractivism of pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) fruit represents an economic opportunity for rural communities of Brazil despite the lack of research on its production chain. This study aims to characterize the commercialization of pequi fruit in municipalities of the state of Minas Gerais and identify public policies that strengthen its production chain in order to support its use for generating income within rural communities. Information was obtained through searches on official sites, published literature and other documents, and through semi-structured and open interviews held in 39 commercial establishments and in five restaurants. Between 2003 and 2011, the national production and the price of one tonne of pequi has risen from 42% to 209%. Sales of pequi by the Centrais de Abastecimento de Minas Gerais S.A. (CeasaMinas) of Greater Belo Horizonte, Brazil, has risen 113% between 2010 and 2014. The results indicate the feasibility of pequi extractivism for a quilombola community.