ANÁLISE DE CUSTOS DE PRODUÇÃO E DE PRODUTIVIDADE DE MARACUJÁ EM DUAS PROPRIEDADES DE CARMO DO RIO VERDE, GOIÁS

Abstract

Passion fruit is a highly appreciated fruit in Brazil and worldwide, making its cultivation a profitable agricultural activity. Production costs are a key factor for growers when establishing a passion fruit orchard. This study aimed to evaluate passion fruit productivity under different production cost structures in the municipality of Carmo do Rio Verde, Goiás State, Brazil. Monthly monitoring was conducted with two producers (Producer 1 and Producer 2) over a 15-month period. Both producers cultivated the same passion fruit variety under similar soil and climatic conditions, using drip irrigation systems. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering inputs, fixed and variable costs, productivity, and revenues. The results showed that fertilizers and pesticides were the main components of production costs, ranging from R$51,031.25 to R$59,553.04 ha⁻¹, with variations resulting from differences in management strategies adopted by the producers. Passion fruit yield ranged from 23.82 t ha⁻¹ to 27.82 t ha⁻¹ for Producers 1 and 2, respectively. It was observed that Producer 2, who cultivated a larger production area, was also able to obtain better prices for agricultural inputs, demonstrating the direct relationship between purchasing power and the value attributed to producers by agricultural suppliers. The economic analysis revealed that Producer 2, who adopted a more intensive management system, achieved a higher gross income of R$438,165.00, while Producer 1 obtained R$162,653.70. Since Producer 2 used a greater amount of inputs and cultivated a larger area, the results confirm that efficiency in input utilization directly influences profitability in passion fruit production. The study concludes that practices such as balanced fertilization, efficient irrigation, technical assistance, and integrated crop management contribute to increased productivity and to the economic sustainability of passion fruit cultivation in the region