Análise econômica comparativa de diferentes canais de comercialização utilizados pela agricultura familiar

The objective in this article is to comparatively assess the economics of different marketing channels used in the outflow of watermelon production from a family farm. The research site is a property located in the municipality of Palmeira das Missoes, northwest of Rio Grande do Sul-BR. The method used was the case study, which consists of calculating the costs of the productive activity for the 2018/2019 agricultural year. The most profitable channel is face-to-face (commercialization on property), with a unit contribution margin of 84%. The lowest unit contribution margin was identified in the channel where watermelon was marketed through intermediaries (63%). However, insertion in the market, through different channels, is a strategy to reduce market risks in the production of perishable food and should be seen as complementary.