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Abstract
Food consumers are, in general, concerned with acquiring healthy food which does not pose risks to their health.
These preferences are directly related to the way the economic agents organize themselves inside the food sector.
In this context, the organic products’ share in the food market is rising considerably, mainly because they consist
not only of a healthier product, but also because they contribute positively to the environment. Nevertheless, these
characteristics are not immediately observed by the consumers, which makes the certification process an essential
mechanism not in the transaction process but also in gaining the confidence of several markets. This article lists some
advantages and disadvantages of the certification process raised in the literature, pointing out the reorganization
that this process promotes inside the described productive chain. It can be affirmed that certification represents an
impediment, as the conversion costs from the conventional system to the organic system and the entire certification
process make the entrance into this sector difficult, especially for small-scale producers. However, some limitations
have been compensated by the enhanced position of the differentiated product in the market. In most countries,
including Brazil, consumers are willing to pay a price-premium for this kind of product, which has been the main
reason behind the segment’s sustainability.