Competitividade dos aquicultores na microrregião do médio Jaguaribe no estado do Ceará

Abstract

This study identifies the competitiveness factors of aquaculture producers in the Médio Jaguaribe microregion, Ceará, in 2023. Specifically, it aims to measure the Aquaculture Competitiveness Index (ACI) and relate the annual income of these workers to the identified competitiveness factors. To achieve these objectives, principal component factor analysis and quantile regressions were employed. The data, of a primary nature, were collected in August 2024. The results revealed three competitiveness factors: economic andproductive efficiency in aquaculture (FC1), human capital and labor valuation in aquaculture (FC2), and intensiveness in technical guidance (FC3).Among the 60 aquaculture producers interviewed, only 13.33% showed a high level of competitiveness. Additionally, the results indicated that only FC1was statistically significant across both quantiles analyzed, demonstrating its relevance in achieving higher income levels for aquaculture producers. On the other hand,FC2exhibited positive and significant effects only for aquaculture producers with lower income levels. These findings suggest that formal education and greater stability in the regional aquaculture labor market were not sufficient, within the parameters established, to foster high income levels in the segment studied. Lastly, FC3had no significant impact on income generation, according to the results obtained.