PRODUCTION AND MARKETING CHARACTERISTICS OF PIG PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTH OF THE STATE OF MEXICO

Abstract

The paper examines the structure and the operation of pig production in the south of the state of Mexico, it explores the various stages that make up the commercialization process of the activity and the different actors involved, it means, all the process that is followed since the departure of the animal from the farm until its arrival as a final product for the consumer. It is also calculated the marketing margins resulting during the different stages of the process, which are used as indicators of profitability. The study was held in 2007 when a total of 17 producers of pork, two collectors, 28 retailers and 37 consumers of pig meat were polled. The objective of the survey was to gather information about the production process, actors, marketing costs and prices, and then determine the margins of marketing and characterization of pig production in the South of the state of Mexico. The results showed that at current prices, the producers participation in the final price, paid by the consumer, was 26,22 %, while the intermediaries participation was 73,78 %. The total marketing margin averaged 23,93 $/kg, from which retailers gained 23,52 $/kg (98,28 %), while the remaining 0,40 $/kg was for the collectors. The traditional marketing process used in the region is: producer, collector, retailer and final consumer.