CADEIA PRODUTIVA DO AÇAÍ JUÇARA NA REGIÃO DO LITORAL NORTE DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL

The researches that define the structure of the productive chain of the juçara palm (Euterpe edulis Mart.), native plant to the Atlantic Forest, are still very limited. The aim of the present work was to map the chain of açaí juçara, to characterize each link of the productive process and to identify potentialities and difficulties of this chain. The research is delineated in the region of the Northern Coast of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and presents the results of the interviews on the production and commercialization of the juçara in this region. In the present research, it was possible to estimate of data on the number and location of producers, and commercialization of açaí juçara in the various distribution channels. The general results of the research indicate that, in the case of the producer, deficiencies were detected in the management and difficulties related to the extractivism of the palm heart.