Fresh vegetables market in Mineiros, Goias State, Brazil

Rational and efficient vegetable commercialization needs constant studies about markets to supply information which can support the elaboration of strategies and actions to improve all marketing context. The objective of this work was to carry out a survey about the fresh vegetable market in Mineiros, Goias State, Brazil, in order to supply market information that may assist specific actions for the sector. For this, a research was carried out in commercial establishments (supermarkets, grocery stores and street market) from December 2005 to January 2006 by applying questionnaires in each establishment. Among the vegetables related in the research, tomato, watermelon, onion and potato were the ones commercialized weekly in higher volume. The results showed that supermarkets and grocery stores are the most responsible ones for the vegetable trade in Mineiros. The local vegetable production deficiency was evidenced when it was established that 81.8% of the products commercialized in the city are coming from distant suppliers and only 18.2% from local producers. The agribusiness of vegetables in Mineiros is incapable of supplying the city's necessities.