Competitividad de los gremios rurales productoras de cacao en el cantón Pedernales, Manabí – Ecuador 2024.

Abstract

In Ecuador, cocoa cultivation has historically been a fundamental pillar of the national economy. Currently, in the province of Manabí, cocoa continues to be the main source of income for the rural population, although it faces challenges that limit its competitiveness in the markets. In the Pedernales canton, most producers work on small farms of less than 5 hectares, which characterizes production as small-scale and with limited resources. The research analyzed the characteristics and factors that affect the competitiveness of rural cocoa-producing guilds in this region, using a mixed approach, which combines qualitative and quantitative methods. Surveys were conducted with local producers, semi-structured interviews with guild leaders, and an exhaustive literature review. In addition, the competitiveness factors of the cocoa guilds of the Pedernales canton are described. The results showed that there is no significant difference in the price that producers receive for the national and CCN-51 cocoa varieties, reducing the incentive to prioritize one over the other. Deficiencies in organizational management, infrastructure, and the adoption of technological innovations limit the ability of these associations to adapt to market demands. The need to strengthen the training of producers and improve marketing strategies was identified. The small scale of the productive units reinforces the vulnerability of these organizations in the face of changing market dynamics and competitive demands.