A INDÚSTRIA DE LATICÍNIOS NO BRASIL – UM ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO

Abstract

The dairy industry is of great importance to Brazil due the supply products of high nutritional value and the generation of employment and income. So, this study aimed to characterize Brazil’s dairy establishments, with registration in Serviço de Inspeção Federal (in Portuguese) (SIF), as the productive aspects, management and marketing. A population composed of 1,188 dairy with SIF we contacted 377 diaries and sent surveys to 292 managers of dairy establishments between November 2014 and January 2015, resulting in a total of 68 responses. From the responses data, an exploratory analysis was performed by calculating descriptive statistics of variables collected to characterize the sample in question, proceeding with average test and association test when necessary. We consider the sample representative of the population of dairy establishments with regard to the geographical distribution among Brazilian regions. The establishments’ respondents were, basically, micro and small enterprises with low power of processing. The idleness is a problem with greater presence in the micro and small establishments, the result of reduced operation in one or two shifts, and difficulties of milk acquisition. These establishments are dedicated to the service of markets at the regional and national level, with mostly fresh cheeses and average maturity. The managers have prior experience both in function and in the dairy industry, being the latter, apparently, more valued by companies. The main difficulties identified by managers are related to unfair competition, market fluctuations and lack of skilled labor.