Estratégias para agregação de valor à cadeia agroindustrial da tilapicultura: subsídios técnicos para implantação do selo de Indicação Geográfica

Abstract

In a globalized economic environment and with the free competition making possible rivalry between diverse economy sectors, it is common for those who can manage their potential and better explore their skills and capabilities to stand out before their competitors. Such strategy may be applied for the Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillet production sector. This study aimed to analyze conditions that could appreciate the Tilapia fillet produced in the Western Paraná region, using Geographical Indication (GI) as a strategy of adding value to the product. The study was performed between 2014 and 2017 by contacting all 50 Western Paraná's cities. It identified the quantity of fish slaughtering and processing plants (driving agents) existent in the Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) production chain. A total of 24 plants with Municipal Inspection System (Sistema de Inspeção Municipal - SIM/POA), Brazilian Inspection System (Sistema Brasileiro de Inspeção - SISBI/POA) and Federal Inspection System (Sistema de Inspeção Federal - SIF) were found. After identifying Toledo city, state of Paraná, as the region that concentrates most slaughtering plants, this study focused those plants located in that city’s micro region. The field research was divided into three stages. Firstly, a diagnosis on the production chain characteristics was conducted by analyzing social relations between the main actors that make up this productive network. This part of the study consisted in evaluating whether there were conditions to form a cluster as well as to structure a governance model based on Social Network Analysis (SNA) technique. The existence of potential agents and the network between the actors of the chain was evident. In the second stage, studies focused on measuring the density of relationships between actors of the network were conducted to identify leaders able to articulate such relations, aiming at a possible strategy of Geographical Indication implementation. Ucinet Software usage made possible to evaluate and to identify the intensity of relations in network, the main actors and the possible leaders. Finally, in order to define the "Tilapia fillet" product, a research was conducted by collecting samples of water from purification process and from the slaughtering, manipulation process of fillet extraction, and samples of fresh and frozen fillet at nine slaughtering plants. Thus, it was possible to evaluate the product quality standardization or items that could influence the microbiological, physicochemical, components quality. As a conclusion, considering the production aspects in the region – including the similar conditions of management and of slaughtering and processing procedures among the agents of the productive chain, the Western Paraná's Tilapia fillet is a product which meets the requirements of the legislation. Therefore, this product can be applied for registration of the Geographical Indication (GI) by the National Institute of industrial Property, designating its Appellation of Origin (DO).