Technical regulation and competitiveness of the sunflower production chain in Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of the current national and international standard of identity and quality of refined sunflower oil on the competitiveness of Brazilian industry. Based on the current debate on the adaptation of the Codex Alimentarius standard dealing with sunflower oil and its repercussions on the countries directly interested, are proposed different economic scenarios related to the decision of revise the Brazilian legislation. The impacts of these scenarios, evaluated through the application of econometric and input-output techniques, attest to the losses imposed by the current institutional framework, which constrains the development of the sunflower production chain in areas of tropical climate in Brazil. After overcoming this institutional constraint, in order to guarantee the projected sector growth, it is necessary to define a strategic agenda of research, technological development and technical assistance focused on increasing the sunflower agricultural productivity in Brazil.