YERBA MATE SUPPLY CHAIN: PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, MARKETING, AND CONSUMPTION IN ONE MICRO-REGION OF PARANA STATE

Abstract

The yerba mate production process relies on an integrated supply chain linking all stages of production, marketing, and consumption. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine aspects of the yerba mate supply chain and propose alternatives for its various segments in one region compounds of seven municipalities in Paraná. The study was conducted across seven municipalities—Dois Vizinhos, Boa Esperança do Iguaçu, Cruzeiro do Iguaçu, Enéas Marques, Salto do Lontra, São Jorge d’Oeste, and Verê, using a field data collection approach tailored to each segment of the chain. Based on the data obtained, the actual status of the micro-region's supply chain was identified, and a SWOT analysis was performed to determine its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. A lack of organization and collaboration among the supply chain segments was observed, resulting in several weaknesses. The research concludes that the yerba mate supply chain in the study area faces bottlenecks across all segments; however, the most critical issues lie in seedling quality, plantation management, harvesting, and processing, primarily leading to a decline in the quality of the yerba mate crops in the studied area