Comercialização, preferências de consumo e diversidade de frutos de tucumã no município de Itacoatiara-AM

Abstract

The present work evaluated the dynamics of tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum G. Mey.) commercialization, consumer preferences, and the diversity of fruits that supply points of purchase in Itacoatiara, Amazonas, Brazil. Semi-structured questionnaires were applied to traders, where the origin of the supply of fruits, the seasonality of price and offer of tucumã, and other information associated with commercialization were verified. For consumers, the questionnaires were applied virtually, where the characteristics of the most important fruits for purchase were determined. For diversity, 900 fruits were analyzed and biometric and qualitative characteristics of these fruits were evaluated. The most important source of fruit supply was from the Anebá river in Silves - AM. The total amount of fruit sold was 97 tons, with an average of 5.38 t (± 6.26). The average price for bags was R$145.63 (± 65.58) and for fresh fruit, R$ 5.72 (± 1.09). Consumers have a greater preference for medium to large, undamaged, ripe, and fleshy fruits. As for the pulp, it must not be fibrous but should be oily. As for diversity, most were red tucumã with epicarp and mesocarp coloration, in green/yellow and orange colors, respectively. On average, the fruits presented length, diameter, and weight of 53.99 (± 5.85) cm, 44.18 (± 4.16) cm, and 57.96 (± 14.25) g, respectively. The average fruit weight showed a high and positive correlation with the length, diameter, fruit volume, and pulp weight. On the other hand, the thickness of the skin and pulp did not correlate with the fruit's dimensions. Seasonality was observed in the supply and, consequently, in the price of bags. The fruits commercialized in Itacoatiara-AM showed variation in their biometric and qualitative characteristics.