Estrutura de custos e shut-down point da produção leiteira: um estudo em Minas Gerais

Abstract

This work was carried out with the objective ofboth evahiating costs structure andidentifying theshut-down point inmilkproductíon in Minas Gerais State. Accordingto theories onboth productíon and costs, theshut-down point is defined aslhe lowest price dairy fàrmers could afford supprying milk to market andstíllbe ableto covertheirvariable expenses. Technical andeconomical data involving 574commercial dairy rarmers from ali mesoregjons in the state were anarysed during me agricumiral years 1995/6 - 2001/2. Results show a low technological levei ofthe farms researched, as well as their negative infhience upon both zootechnical and productivity leveis. The economical profile analysis of the sector show that due to the low technical efTectiveness ofme activity the cost oftheproduct per unit was high. Productive factors such as land and capital were under utilized. These results show the need to modernize and professionalize the dairy farms adrninistratioiL They also suggest the need for investments aimed at improving farming skills by providing technical and admmistiative traming. Economical results showbom scale gainandan existing productíon levei where the average variable cost is minimized. Therefore me shut-down point ofmilk productíon in Minas Gerais was estimated to be RS 0,4278. At this estimated price 1.299,45 liters ofmilk per day can be supplied. Inthe case oflower prices productíon will not be able to continue. This shows the need for rarmers to produce milk in large volume. In order to reach the referred scale significant investments in fixed resources andthe availability of working capital should be realized otherwise they wouldnotbe able to maintain productíon. However, because ofthe high cost associated with leaving the business many dairy rarmers prefer to keep producing despite unsatisfactory gains. The monthly income received, as well as the possibility of selling tivestockenable the dairyrarmers to covertheirshort-term debts.