Porte do varejista e características da carne comercializada em economias em desenvolvimento: insights a partir do caso do Nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

This study investigates how the size of retailers influences the characteristics of meat available to consumers, using the Brazilian Northeast as a strategic case study. With 80% of production aimed at the domestic market, Brazil has a complex distribution network that reflects the challenges and opportunities faced globally. Additionally, the Northeast region mirrors a global trend in emerging economies, where rising incomes drive increased meat consumption. We analyzed the relationship between retailer size and three aspects of the meat sold: the distance traveled from the supplier slaughterhouse to the point of sale, the level of processing, and sanitary quality. Using a mixed-methods approach, we combined quantitative data from the "Do Pasto ao Prato" app with qualitative interviews with industry professionals in one of the region's states. Statistical analyses included Generalized Linear Models and Multinomial Logistic Regression. The textual data were transcribed using a combination of artificial intelligence techniques, such as natural language processing, and human analysis. Subsequently, this information was analyzed using a process mapping technique, which organized the data into flowcharts of actors and processes. The results indicated that about 85% of the meat sold in the retail network comes from other regions of Brazil, traveling long distances (2386.18, ±731.58 km) to reach the local market. Larger retailers, such as hypermarkets and supermarkets, obtain meat from shorter distances (p = 0.034). Regarding the level of processing, there was a trend of smaller retailers, like convenience stores, selling more ultra-processed meats, although the explanatory power was not statistically significant (pseudo R² = 7.37 e-11). Finally, in terms of sanitary quality, retailers, regardless of their size (p > 0.05), were rated as "Good." These results reflect typical characteristics of meat supply chains in emerging countries, where the concentration of slaughterhouses by large corporations is common, and where retail networks include a significant presence of convenience stores and small markets that frequently offer ultra-processed products. By analyzing the meat supply chain in a context of growing demand, the study aids in the search for solutions to improve food safety, reduce environmental impact, and promote more ethical business practices in the sector, especially in regions with rapid economic growth and changing consumption patterns.