RELEVANCIA DE LA INCLUSIÓN DE PEQUEÑOS PRODUCTORES DE CACAO FINO DE AROMA EN LA CADENA DE EXPORTACIÓN GENERADA POR LA ASOCIACIÓN DE CHOCOLATEROS DEL ECUADOR.

Abstract

Cocoa is one of the five most important traditional products in the export supply and Ecuadorian agricultural production, with direct impact on about 100 thousand families linked to this activity. This sector now faces problems of low productivity in plantations of cacao fino de aroma, a situation that affects access to benefits such as product prices in the international market, quotas, certifications and so on. This study focuses on the key aspects of the production process of small producers of cacao fino de aroma. Interviews were done to stakeholders in the supply chain and commercialization. As an alternative sustainable solution emerges Chocolatiers Association of Ecuador, made up of seven private sector companies under the coordination of export promotion agency Pro Ecuador. This initiative proposes to integrate small producers through training and technical support, to improve product quality and consequently, the entire export chain will benefit .