1 - Fabio Antonialli UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE LAVRAS (UFLA) - Departamento de Administração e Economia
2 - Bruna Habib Cavazza UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE LAVRAS (UFLA) - Departamento de Administração e Economia
3 - Rodrigo Cassimiro de Freitas UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE LAVRAS (UFLA) - Campus Lavras
4 - Joel Yutaka Sugano UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE LAVRAS (UFLA) - Departamento de Administração e Economia
Reumo
Whey is a by-product from the dairy industry, that until 20 years ago did not have any significant application nationally. However, a number of factors such as changes in legislation prohibiting its improper disposal, linked to advances in research on its nutritional properties and technological potential, has changed its image “from gutter to gold”. It was observed, that during this period it was observed the birth and development of a production chain for this, so far called by-product.
Starting from the following research problem: what are the main aspects of evolution, structure and dynamics of the whey production chain? The aim of this theoretical essay is to discuss the evolution and dynamics of the whey production chain focusing downstream of the industry.
It is discussed the structure and dynamics of production chains highlighting its connecting links and its surrounding environments (institutional, organizational and consumer). It is also discussed the concept, characterization, applications and environmental issues regarding whey, and the Brazilian reality of its market.
This article is characterized as a theoretical essay written from searches on major international scientific databases and from research in relevant literature in the field.
Whey production chain starts within the dairy production chain given that whey is a waste from cheese-making. Whey is an abundant and cheap input which is underused nationally. As for the industry, it has a coordinating role in the chain since it owns the whey processing technology. Regarding the dynamics, the institutional and organizational environment are responsible for important movements within the chain, by means of laws, resolutions and application of technologies and processes.
It can be concluded that the whey production chain is still incipient in Brazil but it has a promising future when taken into account its low cost of acquisition and its abundant and widespread availability. The chain is strongly coordinated by the industry (technology-push), and as for the dynamics, the main factors affecting the chain are changes in the institutional environment; and changes in the organizational environment.
Silva, R. O. P.; Sá, P. B. Z. R.; Amaral, A. M. P.; Bueno, C. R. F. (2013). Aspectos das importações de soro de leite no Brasil. Análise e Indicadores do Agronegócio, 8(7).
Smithers, G. W. (2008). Whey and whey proteins: from “gutter-to-gold”. International Dairy Journal,18(7), 695-704.
Zylbersztajn, D. (2000). Conceitos gerais, evolução e apresentação do sistema agroindustrial. In: Zylberztajn, D.; Neves, M. F. (Org.). Economia e Gestão dos negócios agroindustriais. SP: Pioneira, 2000.