Economic and Social Aspects of the Decorative Dried Plant Value Chain in the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

The commerce of decorative dried plants from the Brazilian Cerrado Biome provides cultural transmission, and essential revenue for low-income families. We investigated this production value chain over the past decade, assessing its economic and social relevance and mapping the main actors involved, and characterizing the interviewed participants, as well as the foreign trade trends over 50 years. Data was gathered through interviews with 67 actors across six municipalities and from official trade databases (AliceWeb and ComEx Stat). Our results show an active value chain encompassing diverse actors, products, and importing countries. Despite long-term engagement in the trade (20–50 years for most participants) and its role as the primary income source for 38.5% of respondents, 57.1% of them earn below the minimum wage. Younger generations show declining interest, influenced by economic constraints, exportation decline, stricter environmental legislation, and alternative educational and professional opportunities, including due to urbanization. However, current market transformations, including the growth of online sales, present emerging opportunities for them. While exports of dried flowers and buds have diminished considerably since the 1970s, a stable market demand for other decorative dried plant parts has persisted for nearly five decades. Finally, we suggest innovations in the value chain to support the sustainable continuity of this complex socioenvironmental system.

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