Vol. 114 No. 1 (2020)
Research Papers

Structural analysis of nontraditional Andean fruit chains: the case of the Inca berry agri-food network in Ecuador

Carlos Moreno Miranda
Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
María Fernanda Paredes
Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos, Campus Huachi, Universidad Técnica de Ambato, Ambato, Ecuador
Nataly Solís
Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos, Campus Huachi, Universidad Técnica de Ambato, Ambato, Ecuador
Raúl Moreno
Facultat de Farmacia y Ciencias de la Alimentación, Campus Diagonal, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
Daniele Rama
Alta Scuola di Management ed Economia Agro-Alimentare, Campus Cremona. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Cremona, Italia
Eritrean Western Lowland: Baobab woodland, 1927. Photographic Archive of the former Istituto Agronomico per l'Oltre

Published 2020-07-31

How to Cite

Moreno Miranda, C., Paredes, M. F., Solís, N., Moreno, R. . ., & Rama, D. (2020). Structural analysis of nontraditional Andean fruit chains: the case of the Inca berry agri-food network in Ecuador. Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID), 114(1), 57–76. https://doi.org/10.12895/jaeid.20201.934

Abstract

The diversification of agri-food chains has a fundamental role in the economic development of Latin American countries. In Ecuador, the exports of nontraditional crops reached USD4.33 million in 2016. This analysis focused on the Inca berry chain, which is in the Interandean zone and represents a relevant economic expansion. Therefore, the aim was to understand the dynamics across the stages and flows, considering socio-productive and economic aspects, export determinants and policy implications, for which a systematic methodology was used. This study concluded that the diversification of marketing channels, strengthening of associative structures and implementation of agricultural policies are needed to improve performance.