Competitiveness of the orange juice production chain in the Brazilian citrus belt: application of the policy analysis matrix

Public policies that affect the orange juice production chain can produce effects that imply a reduction in competitiveness, affecting the production and marketing of the product, generating consequences for the profitability of the sector. For this reason, the study aimed to analyze how public policies affect the main Brazilian orange-producing region, known as the citrus belt. For the analysis, the Policy Analysis Matrix (MAP) tool was used, which generates coefficients related to competitiveness and efficiency. With the indicators calculated from the MAP, it was found that the chain is competitive, even in the presence of the negative effects of public policies, presenting conditions to remain operational in the international juice market, with capacity for expansion. It was concluded that, in the absence of tax policies that distort prices present in all links of the chain, the use of resources in the production of oranges and juices for export would be more efficient.