Economic and Environmental Perfomance in Coffee Supply Chains: A Brazilian Case Study

Abstract

The concern to meet food needs of the world population and preserve the environment is frequent today. In this context, Brazil has a significant participation in world agriculture. For instance, the country is the largest producer and exporter of green coffee grain. Coffee, besides being part of cultural habits in many countries, still corresponds significantly in the Brazilian trade balance, in the generation of jobs and income in the food industry chain worldwide, having its consumption associated with meetings and socialization and also as food base of children in a situation of economic and social vulnerability. The aim of this work is to discuss the economic and environmental performance, through the analysis of different combinations of cargo vehicles in different paving and non-paving conditions for the flow of coffee grain production from Guaxupé/MG to the Port of Santos/SP. It was observed that the best combination for load is “rodotrem” because it presents the best economic performance due to lower costs with diesel per ton of coffee grain transported and the best environmental performance which is maintained in all load combinations. It is clear that the Brazilian road network needs investments related to paving, technologies to improve fuel use and tire performance.