Qualidade e perdas de frutas e hortaliças em mercados de São Luís

Abstract

Fruits and vegetables from hundreds of species are produced, industrialized and sold fresh or under the most diverse preparations and processes in the world. Fruits and vegetables have a good combination of fiber, vitamins, minerals and low energy density, in addition to acting in the prevention of various diseases. Despite the strengthening of these production chains, the various forms of fruit and vegetable losses during post-harvest and marketing cause great losses for the entire supply chain. The post-harvest phase requires a set of techniques applied to the conservation and storage of agricultural products such as grains, fruits, vegetables, tubers, among others, right after harvest until consumption or processing, it is necessary to use good agricultural practices. The objective was to diagnose quality requirements and losses in the commercialization of fruits and vegetables in small and medium-sized markets in São Luís - MA. The present study was developed in small and medium-sized markets located in the neighborhoods of João Paulo, Cidade Operária, Angelim, Cohab and Turu, in the municipality of São Luís. The forms were designed to verify the most sold fruits and vegetables, whether they met requirements minimum quality standards for marketing and the types and quantities of losses in marketing. The forms were applied in four fruit and vegetable sales markets in each of the five open-air markets analyzed, totaling 20 points of sale. Among the aforementioned products, the most commercialized ones can be highlighted: banana, watermelon, orange and apple among the fruits; tomatoes, onions, chayote and potatoes among vegetables; and green scent, lettuce, chives, parsley and vinegar, among the leafy vegetables. The largest quantities sold for the fruit, vegetable and leafy vegetables categories were reported for bananas, with an average of 622.8 kg per week; tomatoes, averaging 480 kg per week; and green scent with an average of 155 units sold per week, respectively. Regarding the number of different requirements not met in marketing, the following products stood out: banana, papaya, avocado and orange, among the fruits; tomatoes, onions and potatoes, among vegetables; and vinegar, green scent and lettuce, among the leafy vegetables. Public policies and supervision will be necessary to reduce losses and adapt horticultural products to the minimum quality levels required for commercialization in markets in São Luís -MA