Estudio de factibilidad para la comercialización de Tomate Heirloom producido por familias rurales de la provincia del Azuay en Ecuador hacia el mercado canadiense.

Abstract

This research addresses the challenges and opportunities in marketing the Heirloom tomato, a traditional variety from Azuay, Ecuador, in the Canadian market, a sector increasingly interested in organic and authentic products. Rural communities in Azuay face limitations in infrastructure, logistics, and marketing knowledge, hindering their access to broader and more profitable markets. The study aims to connect the supply of Heirloom tomatoes with Canadian demand, overcoming logistical and market barriers, and promoting fair and sustainable trade. Specific objectives include theoretically grounding the research, characterizing production, determining exportable supply, analyzing demand in Canada, establishing export logistics, and conducting a financial analysis of the proposal. Using the Inductive Method, the study combines quantitative analysis of statistical data with a qualitative approach through interviews, allowing a deep understanding of the sector's dynamics and challenges. Primary and secondary sources are used for a comprehensive perspective, focusing on Heirloom tomato producers in Azuay. Conclusions highlight the viability of the Canadian market, with growing demand and the possibility of establishing efficient export logistics. The financial analysis projects steady growth in revenue and profits, emphasizing the project's profitability and long-term sustainability, essential for the economic empowerment of rural communities in Azuay and the preservation of their agricultural traditions.