Os preços do cacau e suas implicações sobre a economia cacaueira baiana

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze price behavior of cocoa, and its main impacts on the cocoa production economy in Bahia during the period between 1975 and 1995. The analysis utilized regression, shift-share model, table and graphs. This study examined price variation; price transmission elasticity between intenational and domestic prices; the relationships between domestic price and production, domestic and production value, domestic prices and yield, and domestic price and cropper area of cocoa in Bahia; the relationship between cocoa price and minimum wage; the relationship between cocoa price and the ferblizer price; and export behavior of cocoa and its relationships with total exports of the State. The results showed that cocoa price, which in sometime contributed to fhe expansion of economic activities in the region, declined to contributed to changes on the cocoa's economy in Bahia, among which are: a) The percent relation between international and domestic prices did not change as result of a decrease in taxation, and the price transmission atasbcity remained one; b) The decline of cocoa price led to a decrease in production: c) The decline of cocoa price cause a decrease in the production value of this commodity, what contributed to impoverish productions on the region; d) The decline of cocoa price increased the amount of cocoa necessary to pay the minimum wage:; e) The decline of cocoa price increased the amount of cocoa necessary ts pay for 1 kg of fertilizer; f) There was a reduction of cocoa export value, and a consequent decine of the cocoa production region in terms of export product relatively to other regions of the state of Bahia.