Tropical flowers exportation in pernambuco state: analysis of the distribution channels insertion

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the main distribution channels in the productive chains of tropical flowers in Pernambuco state, focusing on the factors that influence its insertion into the European market. The European Union is the main destination for the tropical flowers exported by Pernambuco, responding for 99, 12 % of the total sales to foreign countries (in value) in 2005. The methodology was based on a qualitative analysis, and took the commodity systems approach as conceptual reference, complemented by the supply chain management approach. Besides secondary data, it was also used primary sources information by means of interviews conduced on the “key-actors” and surveys in the field. Pernambuco flower exporters have used as distribution channels the export consortium, the commercial exporter companies and the Cooperative Veiling Holambra. The distribution channels analyzed present a series of favourable and unfavorable aspects to their insertion into the European market. However, it was verified indication that in all the channels the collaborative aspect among the involved agents is very important for obtaining higher competitiveness, in relation to scale gains and greater efficiency in attending to the importers.