The dynamics of the rice processing industry in the small city of Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo - SP

Abstract

The objective of the work is to discuss theoretically and empirically the dynamics of productive specialization in the processing of rice, present in the small town of Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo (SP). From a methodological point of view, a bibliographic survey, interpretation of theoretical elements and data associated with empirical analysis was carried out. The rice processing companies in that city also benefit from sugar and beans, but there is a predominance of rice, and businessmen and workers call these companies after the term rice farmers. Despite the processing of rice, carried out in rice fields, employing extensive mechanization in the production process, not generating a significant number of jobs, the city plays an important role in the market share of this food, being 33% from the state of São Paulo and 10% at the national level. It is concluded that the dynamics that involves the processing of rice manifests itself through a production chain that involves different elements: 1) the raw material, the paddy rice without having gone through the process of processing, comes from Uruguaiana (RS) ), therefore not present locally; 2) the rice farmers carry the freight back regarding the acquisition of the raw material, as they send other processed products, mainly sugar and receive paddy rice for processing in Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo; 3) processing units and distribution centers are present in other cities, aiming to facilitate the logistics of the flow of processed rice; 4) the final destination of waste involves other productive segments, contributing to the reuse of rice husks; 5) destination of rice by-products to other types of industry, regarding rice bran, which is used in the production of dog and cat food; 6) the commercialization of processed rice goes beyond the local scale, covering the state of São Paulo, Northern Paraná and Southern Mato Grosso do Sul.