Circuito espacial produtivo da pecuária bovina de corte no estado de Mato Grosso do Sul

Abstract

This research was based on understanding the Productive Spatial Circuit and Cooperation Circles of beef cattle raising in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Livestock remains one of the main segments of the state economy. The specific objectives consisted of: investigating whether there was a spatial restructuring of the activity in the state and what its regionalization is; understanding the changes in the productive pattern of beef cattle and the elements that lead to this change and analyzing the insertion of livestock in international trade and the role of exporting slaughterhouses, which are relevant agents in the circle of cooperation, insofar as they mediate between the international market and production, 'transmission belts' of the demanding standards of the main consumer markets. The guiding hypothesis is that the conditions of the spatial circuit are anchored in the robust participation of public funds, programs, and public policies. For this study, several tools were used, such as consulting the websites of responsible public agencies, websites specialized in the subject, specific documents, and semi-structured interviews. Added to this, through the collection of secondary data and their quantification, a database was created that offers a view of the spatial circuit. The theoretical basis is based on Milton Santos' proposal on productive spatial circuits. Among the main references are Barrios (1976); Moraes (1985); Santos (1986, 1988, and 1997); Santos and Silveira (2006); Castillo and Frederico (2010); Aracri and Moreira (2010); Espíndola (2020). As the main results, this study allowed us to understand that the complete cycle (breeding, rearing, and fattening) is carried out throughout the state. However, in the Pantanal region, traditionally, the breeding and rearing phases predominate, with fattening in some regions with better quality pastures. This is due to the peculiar characteristics of this region (soil and climate), as well as difficulties in the flow and movement of cattle. Two other municipalities in the eastern portion of the state, Ribas do Rio Pardo and Três Lagoas, also stand out in the sale of bovine matrices and reproducers and, mainly, in sending them for slaughter. Spatial restructuring through crop expansion and herd redistribution has defined a new regionalization for beef cattle raising in Mato Grosso do Sul. This reality can be explained by the substitution of pasture areas for sugarcane, corn and soybean crops, eucalyptus plantations, the application of new technologies for crop-livestock and crop-livestock-forestry integration, as well as the advancement of technologies for agricultural production and management improvement. This change in land use has led to cattle raising, especially breeding activity, which is considered less profitable, to be concentrated in regions with unsuitable soils for agriculture, mainly where there is no competition between agriculture and forestry. The changes in the productive pattern of beef cattle production stand out, which, in turn, is not limited to extensive cattle raising, but is being modernized with investments in infrastructure for transport and storage, as well as with the development of technologies for the sector. We found that between 2010 and 2021, beef exports from Mato Grosso do Sul doubled, and there was an insertion in diversified international markets. In the interstate market, the state sends cattle for slaughter in other federation units, such as São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. In Mato Grosso do Sul, several meatpacking companies invest in market niches, such as gourmet and organic beef, as well as some retailers. Finally, we found that the activity was constituted by a firm contribution from the state's participation, as demonstrated by the composition of the cooperation circles in which resources, programs, and public policies participate.