Apple producers in Virginia are affected by adverse weather factors which cause poor or lower than normal yields. These weather factors such as freeze kill of bloom and lack of rainfall cause decreases in production and, therefore, decreases in revenues received by apple producers. These weather factors, although they can not be completely controlled, can be altered by wind machines and overhead sprinkler systems. Therefore, the major purpose of the study was to determine if these types of weather-altering technologies could be economically feasible for use in Virginia. The first step in determining the economic feasibility of the two systems was to determine which weather factors are effected by the adaptable technology stated above. This information was received from studies completed in Utah, Georgia, Florida, California, and Washington State. The second step was to gather production data and weather data in the same general geographical location in Virginia to be used to develop a yield response equation and determine the weather variables which affect production. This information was then transferred to. a simulation model, which determined the values of the economic criteria used when making investment decisions. The major findings of the study were: (1) that the overhead sprinkler system is the investment with the best economic criteria values and should be the investment used in situations where an orchard is of dwarf and semi-dwarf type rootstock and where there is an adequate supply of water, and (2) wind machines are also shown to be economically feasible to use in orchard situations and can be implemented in orchards with older seedling type trees and in orchards where there is an inadequate supply of water to operate an overhead sprinkler system. / Ph. D.

Agricultural production and post-harvest supply systems are major causes of resource and energy consumption throughout the world, with associated emissions contributing to global scale environmental burdens. Focusing on apple systems in Nova Scotia, Canada, this project used life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental performance of conventional and organic orchards, as well as post-production systems of storage and transportation. Results indicate that on-orchard hotspots include fuel use, fertilizers, and inputs to pest and disease management on both conventional and organic orchards. Extending system boundaries to cradle-to-retail locations revealed that electricity required for storage caused substantial burdens, highlighting the problem of coal-based electricity generation in Nova Scotia. Findings also illustrate that the relative impact of transportation changes according to distance travelled and mode of delivery. Consuming locally produced apples when in season was found to be environmentally preferable than those requiring year round storage, while transport by freight ship is more favourable than long distance transport truck delivery.

Os aspectos que envolvem a discussão acerca da diminuição da fome e da miséria em todo o mundo passam pelo entendimento de como se comportam os produtores de alimentos e, por consequência, da sua manutenção no campo. Em se tratando de produtores de alimentos, o entendimento de como se estruturam os canais de distribuição se faz importante à compreensão de como se organiza o poder econômico nessas configurações inter-organizacionais e, por conseguinte, as consequências sociais daí depreendidas. Considerando a cultura da maçã dentre as mais importantes produções de frutas in natura do estado do Rio Grande do Sul e das mais consumidas no Brasil e no mundo, vislumbrar essa estrutura do canal de distribuição e o modo como está estruturado e composto mostrou-se o desafio a ser vencido na pesquisa realizada. Para tanto, o uso e aplicação de métodos de pesquisa que passam desde questionários até entrevistas não-estruturadas permitiu, a partir de uma concepção inicial da estrutura de um canal de comercialização genérico, buscar um desenho e o entendimento das relações entre os players do canal de distribuição da maçã produzida no município de Vacaria (maior produtor gaúcho de maçã e entre os maiores do Brasil). Os resultados indicaram que as relações entre os membros do canal são estabelecidas uma a uma e foram se fortalecendo ao longo dos anos para aqueles players que conseguiram manter-se no mercado. A substituição e renovação daqueles que não conseguiram se manter fortes economicamente aparentaram ser efetivos, como uma Lei de Seleção Natural desenvolvida por Charles Darwin. O divisor entre a manutenção e a extinção passa pelo o uso de tecnologias refrigeradas de transporte e armazenamento. O uso dessas tecnologias reconfiguraram o setor e representaram avanços significativos ao processo de crescimento e internacionalização da produção de maçã brasileira, especificamente de Vacaria. Finalmente, a característica dos grandes players existentes no canal o diferencia de outros canais de distribuição. / Aspects involved in the global discussion regarding hunger and extreme poverty reduction must be addressed using a framework that considers the behavior of food producers and consequently their conditions in the field. When dealing with such a sample, understanding the structure of distribution channels is mandatory for the comprehension of economic power´s organization in these interorganizational configurations and its inherent social outcomes. Considering the apple as one of the most relevant in natura cultures in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, as well as one with the highest levels of consumption in Brazil and in the world, analyzing its distribution channel structure and the way it is organized was the central challenge that was dealt with in this research. Hence, the use of methodology based on questionnaires and non-structured interviews allowed – through the use of generic distribution channel structures´ concept – to achieve a robust design and comprehension of relationships between agents of the apple´s distribution channel in the township of Vacaria (main apple producer in the State of Rio Grande do Sul and one of the most important nationwide). Results suggest that relationships between channel members are established on a one-by-one basis and were strengthened over time for those agents who were able to maintain their market position. Substitution and renewal were effective processes for those who did not manage to sustain economic performance – as in an analogy of the Theory of Natural Selection developed by Charles Darwin. The core determinant for market position preservation (or its loss) seems to be the use of refrigerated transport and storage. The use of such technologies reshapes this sector´s structure and represents significant advances in the growth and internationalization processes of Brazilian apple production, specifically for the case of Vacaria. Lastly, characteristics of large agents in this distribution channel pose some specificities when comparing to other channels and sectors.

Os aspectos que envolvem a discussão acerca da diminuição da fome e da miséria em todo o mundo passam pelo entendimento de como se comportam os produtores de alimentos e, por consequência, da sua manutenção no campo. Em se tratando de produtores de alimentos, o entendimento de como se estruturam os canais de distribuição se faz importante à compreensão de como se organiza o poder econômico nessas configurações inter-organizacionais e, por conseguinte, as consequências sociais daí depreendidas. Considerando a cultura da maçã dentre as mais importantes produções de frutas in natura do estado do Rio Grande do Sul e das mais consumidas no Brasil e no mundo, vislumbrar essa estrutura do canal de distribuição e o modo como está estruturado e composto mostrou-se o desafio a ser vencido na pesquisa realizada. Para tanto, o uso e aplicação de métodos de pesquisa que passam desde questionários até entrevistas não-estruturadas permitiu, a partir de uma concepção inicial da estrutura de um canal de comercialização genérico, buscar um desenho e o entendimento das relações entre os players do canal de distribuição da maçã produzida no município de Vacaria (maior produtor gaúcho de maçã e entre os maiores do Brasil). Os resultados indicaram que as relações entre os membros do canal são estabelecidas uma a uma e foram se fortalecendo ao longo dos anos para aqueles players que conseguiram manter-se no mercado. A substituição e renovação daqueles que não conseguiram se manter fortes economicamente aparentaram ser efetivos, como uma Lei de Seleção Natural desenvolvida por Charles Darwin. O divisor entre a manutenção e a extinção passa pelo o uso de tecnologias refrigeradas de transporte e armazenamento. O uso dessas tecnologias reconfiguraram o setor e representaram avanços significativos ao processo de crescimento e internacionalização da produção de maçã brasileira, especificamente de Vacaria. Finalmente, a característica dos grandes players existentes no canal o diferencia de outros canais de distribuição. / Aspects involved in the global discussion regarding hunger and extreme poverty reduction must be addressed using a framework that considers the behavior of food producers and consequently their conditions in the field. When dealing with such a sample, understanding the structure of distribution channels is mandatory for the comprehension of economic power´s organization in these interorganizational configurations and its inherent social outcomes. Considering the apple as one of the most relevant in natura cultures in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, as well as one with the highest levels of consumption in Brazil and in the world, analyzing its distribution channel structure and the way it is organized was the central challenge that was dealt with in this research. Hence, the use of methodology based on questionnaires and non-structured interviews allowed – through the use of generic distribution channel structures´ concept – to achieve a robust design and comprehension of relationships between agents of the apple´s distribution channel in the township of Vacaria (main apple producer in the State of Rio Grande do Sul and one of the most important nationwide). Results suggest that relationships between channel members are established on a one-by-one basis and were strengthened over time for those agents who were able to maintain their market position. Substitution and renewal were effective processes for those who did not manage to sustain economic performance – as in an analogy of the Theory of Natural Selection developed by Charles Darwin. The core determinant for market position preservation (or its loss) seems to be the use of refrigerated transport and storage. The use of such technologies reshapes this sector´s structure and represents significant advances in the growth and internationalization processes of Brazilian apple production, specifically for the case of Vacaria. Lastly, characteristics of large agents in this distribution channel pose some specificities when comparing to other channels and sectors.

Os aspectos que envolvem a discussão acerca da diminuição da fome e da miséria em todo o mundo passam pelo entendimento de como se comportam os produtores de alimentos e, por consequência, da sua manutenção no campo. Em se tratando de produtores de alimentos, o entendimento de como se estruturam os canais de distribuição se faz importante à compreensão de como se organiza o poder econômico nessas configurações inter-organizacionais e, por conseguinte, as consequências sociais daí depreendidas. Considerando a cultura da maçã dentre as mais importantes produções de frutas in natura do estado do Rio Grande do Sul e das mais consumidas no Brasil e no mundo, vislumbrar essa estrutura do canal de distribuição e o modo como está estruturado e composto mostrou-se o desafio a ser vencido na pesquisa realizada. Para tanto, o uso e aplicação de métodos de pesquisa que passam desde questionários até entrevistas não-estruturadas permitiu, a partir de uma concepção inicial da estrutura de um canal de comercialização genérico, buscar um desenho e o entendimento das relações entre os players do canal de distribuição da maçã produzida no município de Vacaria (maior produtor gaúcho de maçã e entre os maiores do Brasil). Os resultados indicaram que as relações entre os membros do canal são estabelecidas uma a uma e foram se fortalecendo ao longo dos anos para aqueles players que conseguiram manter-se no mercado. A substituição e renovação daqueles que não conseguiram se manter fortes economicamente aparentaram ser efetivos, como uma Lei de Seleção Natural desenvolvida por Charles Darwin. O divisor entre a manutenção e a extinção passa pelo o uso de tecnologias refrigeradas de transporte e armazenamento. O uso dessas tecnologias reconfiguraram o setor e representaram avanços significativos ao processo de crescimento e internacionalização da produção de maçã brasileira, especificamente de Vacaria. Finalmente, a característica dos grandes players existentes no canal o diferencia de outros canais de distribuição. / Aspects involved in the global discussion regarding hunger and extreme poverty reduction must be addressed using a framework that considers the behavior of food producers and consequently their conditions in the field. When dealing with such a sample, understanding the structure of distribution channels is mandatory for the comprehension of economic power´s organization in these interorganizational configurations and its inherent social outcomes. Considering the apple as one of the most relevant in natura cultures in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, as well as one with the highest levels of consumption in Brazil and in the world, analyzing its distribution channel structure and the way it is organized was the central challenge that was dealt with in this research. Hence, the use of methodology based on questionnaires and non-structured interviews allowed – through the use of generic distribution channel structures´ concept – to achieve a robust design and comprehension of relationships between agents of the apple´s distribution channel in the township of Vacaria (main apple producer in the State of Rio Grande do Sul and one of the most important nationwide). Results suggest that relationships between channel members are established on a one-by-one basis and were strengthened over time for those agents who were able to maintain their market position. Substitution and renewal were effective processes for those who did not manage to sustain economic performance – as in an analogy of the Theory of Natural Selection developed by Charles Darwin. The core determinant for market position preservation (or its loss) seems to be the use of refrigerated transport and storage. The use of such technologies reshapes this sector´s structure and represents significant advances in the growth and internationalization processes of Brazilian apple production, specifically for the case of Vacaria. Lastly, characteristics of large agents in this distribution channel pose some specificities when comparing to other channels and sectors.

Thesis (MSc (Microbiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The relationship between various land management practices, soil properties and the soil microbial communities are complex and little is known about the effect of these interactions on plant productivity in agricultural systems. Although it would be advantageous to have a single organism or property that can be used as a measure of soil health, it may not be possible. Soil organisms which include both the microorganisms as well as soil fauna are subjected to the effect of their immediate environment. This microenvironment in turn is determined by the soil properties as well as above ground flora and their interactions. Most soil indicators interact with each other, and these interactions can modify or influence the soil properties. The complexities of the interactions between critical soil indicator values often preclude its practical use by land managers and policy makers. However, soil microbial communities (e.g. diversity and structural stability) may serve as a relative indicator of soil quality. These communities are sensitive to land management practices and changes in the microenvironment. The objective of this study was to gain an understanding of the complex relationships by investigating the effect of conventional, integrated and organic apple production systems on the physical, chemical and biological (particularly soil microbial diversity) properties of the soil. Automated Ribosomal Intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) was used to characterise fungal (F-ARISA) and bacterial (B-ARISA) communities from soil samples obtained from an experimental apple orchard in Elgin, Grabouw. The intergenic spacer (ITS) region from the fungal rRNA operon was amplified using ITS4 and fluorescently FAM (6- carboxylfluorescein) labelled ITS5 primers. Similarly, the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region from the bacterial rRNA operon was amplified using ITSR and FAM-labelled ITSF primers. The sensitivity of the technique allowed us to discriminate between the soil microbial communities of the different treatments. From our results we observed significant increase (p < 0.05) in the fungal community diversity between the February and April samples, while the bacterial community diversity was consistent (p > 0.05). Also, treatments with mulch showed a significantly higher microbial diversity than the other treatments at a 5 % significance level. Fungal communities showed significant correlation with the potassium concentration in the soil, while bacterial communities depicted a significant correlation with the soil phosphorous concentration. Based on the results we concluded that different management practices have a significant effect on the soil microbial communities and that these communities are particularly sensitive to small changes in the environment. However, there is still a need to determine what the composition of the soil microbial communities are to be able to correlate our observations with soil health. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verhouding tussen verskillende landboubestuurspraktyke, grondeienskappe en die mikrobiese gemeenskappe in grond is kompleks en weinig is bekend oor die uitwerking van hierdie interaksies op die produktiwiteit van landboustelsels. Alhoewel dit voordelig sou wees om ‘n enkele organisme of eienskap te kan hê wat die gesondheid van grond kan meet, sal dit dalk nie moontlik wees nie. Grondorganismes wat die mikroörganismes sowel as die grondfauna insluit, is onderworpe aan die invloed van hulle onmiddelike omgewings. Hierdie mikro-omgewings op hulle beurt word weer beïnvloed deur die grondeienskappe sowel as die die oppervlak flora en hulle wisselwerkinge. Meeste van die grondaanwysers toon ook wisselwerkinge met mekaar, en hierdie wisselwerkinge kan die grondeienskappe beïnvloed or selfs verander. Die kompleksiteit van die wisselwerkinge tussen kritiese grond aanwysers is meestal die rede waarom dit nie deur grondbestuurders en beleidsmakers gebruik word nie. Dit is ongeag die feit dat grond mikrobiese gemeenskappe (bv. diversiteit en stukturele stabiliteit) mag dien as ‘n relatiewe aanwyser van grondkwaliteit. Hierdie gemeenskappe is sensitief vir bestuurspraktyke en veranderinge in die mikro-omgewing. Die doel van die studie was om die ingewikkelde verhoudings in die grondgemeenskappe te bestudeer en die uitwerking van konventionele, geïntegreerde en organiese appel produksie sisteme op die fisiese, chemiese en biologiese eienskappe (veral die grond mikrobiologiese diversiteit) te bepaal. Geoutomatiseerde Ribosomale Intergeniese Spasie Analise (ARISA) is gebruik om die fungus (F-ARISA) en bakteriese (B-ARISA) gemeenskappe van grondmonsters wat vanaf ‘n proef appelboord in Elgin (Grabouw) verkry is, te bepaal. Die intergeenspasie (ITS) area van die fungus rDNA operon is vermeerder deur die ITS4 en fluoresserende FAM (6-karboxylfluorescein) gemerkte ITS5 inleiers te gebruik. Soortgelyk is die 16S-23S intergeenspasie area van die bakteriese rDNA operon vermeerder deur ITSR en FAM-gemerkte ITSF inleiers te gebruik. Die sensitiwiteit van die tegniek laat ons toe om te onderskei tussen die grond mikrobiese gemeenskappe vanaf verskillende grondbehandelings. Vanuit die resultate kon ons aflei dat daar ‘n toename (p < 0.05) in die fungus gemeenskap diversiteit vanaf Februarie to April was terwyl die bakteriese gemeenskap ‘n konstante diversteit getoon het (p > 0.05). Behandelings met grondbedekking het ook ‘n beduidend hoër mikrobiese diversiteit getoon as ander behandelings. Fungus gemeenskappe het beduidende korrelasies getoon met kalium konsentrasies in die grond, terwyl bakteriese gemeenskappe ‘n beduidende korrelasie getoon het met grond fosfor konsentrasies. Gebaseer op die resultate kon ons aflei dat verskillende bestuurspraktyke ‘n uitwerking kan hê op die grond mikrobiese gemeenskappe en dat hierdie gemeenskappe sensitief is vir klein veranderinge in die omgewing. Dit sal egter nog nodig wees om die spesifieke samestelling van die grond mikrobiese gemeenskappe te bepaal voor ons hierdie waarnemings kan korreleer met grondgesondheid.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal descrever o processo decisório de compra de maçã na cidade de Porto Alegre - RS, buscando aprofundar o conhecimento acerca dos fatores que influenciam a decisão de compra da fruta pelo último elo da cadeia produtiva: o consumidor final. Para a efetiva condução deste trabalho, o processo metodológico apresentou uma pesquisa exploratória, realizada em uma fase qualitativa, em que foram apontados os indicadores relacionados à tomada de decisão de compra do produto, baseados em material pré-existente sobre o tema, e entrevistas de caráter exploratório com especialistas e com consumidores de maçã; e outra fase quantitativa, momento no qual foi aplicado o instrumento de coleta ao público-alvo. Após compreender a situação atual da cadeia produtiva da fruta e concluir a aplicação dos questionários, os dados foram analisados e interpretados através do software estatístico SPSS Versão 16. Os resultados observados possibilitam a compreensão acerca do processo decisório de compra de maçã na cidade de Porto Alegre – RS, e demonstram que os aspectos que motivam o consumo da fruta estão relacionados ao apelo à saúde, sendo que o principal fator decisório no momento da compra está vinculado à qualidade da aparência estética do produto, e que o fator preço não interfere no aumento ou redução do consumo. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-05-13T12:37:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Bianca Rockenbach.pdf: 1812003 bytes, checksum: a7cb2853e6f86a2b450f463dd64a39a0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-13T12:37:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Bianca Rockenbach.pdf: 1812003 bytes, checksum: a7cb2853e6f86a2b450f463dd64a39a0 (MD5) / This study aimed to describe the decision making process of buying apple in Porto Alegre - RS, seeking to deepen the knowledge about the factors that influence the decision to buy fruit at last link in the supply chain of Apple: the end consumer. For the effective conduct of this study, the methodological process presented an exploratory study, conducted in a qualitative phase, which were expressed in the indicators related to decision-making product purchase based on pre-existing material on the topic, and exploratory interviews with experts and consumers with apple , and other quantitative phase, at which time the instrument was used to collect the target audience. After understanding the current status of the production chain of fruit and completing the questionnaires, the data were analyzed and interpreted using the statistical software SPSS Version 16. Results observed to enable understanding of the decision making process of buying apple in Porto Alegre - RS, and demonstrate that the aspects that motivate consumption of fruit are related to appeal to health, and the main decision factor when buying is linked to the quality of the aesthetic appearance of the product, and the price did not interfere with the increase or decrease in consumption.

As crescentes exigências por qualidade e demanda a alimentos seguros pressionam as cadeias agroalimentares, para que adotem sistemas produtivos alternativos, e que estes gerem produtos saudáveis e inócuos ao consumo humano, por meio de práticas rastreáveis, visando à proteção do meio ambiente, dos trabalhadores e dos consumidores. A Produção Integrada de Maçã (PIM) surgiu como uma resposta a essas exigências, atuando como uma ferramenta de padronização da produção dessa fruta. A partir disso, o trabalho verificou se a adoção da PIM, na cadeia produtiva de maçã, é suficiente para que esse produto não esteja sujeito a barreiras técnicas e não tarifárias do mercado externo. Para isso, foram pesquisadas quais certificações para maçã são mais relevantes aos mercados consumidores, buscando identificar e classificar os requisitos e qual o posicionamento da PIM perante essas regulamentações. Para tanto, foi desenvolvido um estudo exploratório, por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e de levantamento dentro da PIM, pelo qual foi possível identificar que necessidade de ajustes para que esse programa mantenha sua relevância como certificação na cadeia produtiva da maçã, pois não possui a equiparação aos selos internacionais, necessária para sua aceitação no Exterior e nem conhecimento no mercado nacional. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-06-02T18:57:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Silvio Denicol Junior.pdf: 1100744 bytes, checksum: ffcadba9984f99401a9e1e8a0906c94e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-02T18:57:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Silvio Denicol Junior.pdf: 1100744 bytes, checksum: ffcadba9984f99401a9e1e8a0906c94e (MD5) / The increasing demand for quality and safe food is been pushing the agri-food chains to adopt alternative production systems, with the purpose of generate healthy and innocuous products for human consumption through traceable practices, in order to protect the environment, workers and consumer. The integrated apple production (PIM) has emerged as a response to these requirements, serving as a tool to standardize the production of this fruit. From this, the study examined whether the adoption of pim in apple production chain, it is enough to avoid that this product being a subject for technical and non-tariff barriers in the foreign market. Considering this, it was researched which apple certifications are more relevant to the consumer markets, looking for identifying and classifying the requirements and also which is the positioning of the pim considering this kind of regulations. Therefore, was developted an exploratory study, through a bibliografic, documental and survey research inside the PIM, from which it was possible identify that the PIM requires adjustments to maintain its relevance as a certification in the apple productive chain, because it still does not have the equalization to the international labels, that is required to its acceptance on abroad, or even the recognition in the domestic market

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal descrever o processo decisório de compra de maçã na cidade de Porto Alegre - RS, buscando aprofundar o conhecimento acerca dos fatores que influenciam a decisão de compra da fruta pelo último elo da cadeia produtiva: o consumidor final. Para a efetiva condução deste trabalho, o processo metodológico apresentou uma pesquisa exploratória, realizada em uma fase qualitativa, em que foram apontados os indicadores relacionados à tomada de decisão de compra do produto, baseados em material pré-existente sobre o tema, e entrevistas de caráter exploratório com especialistas e com consumidores de maçã; e outra fase quantitativa, momento no qual foi aplicado o instrumento de coleta ao público-alvo. Após compreender a situação atual da cadeia produtiva da fruta e concluir a aplicação dos questionários, os dados foram analisados e interpretados através do software estatístico SPSS Versão 16. Os resultados observados possibilitam a compreensão acerca do processo decisório de compra de maçã na cidade de Porto Alegre – RS, e demonstram que os aspectos que motivam o consumo da fruta estão relacionados ao apelo à saúde, sendo que o principal fator decisório no momento da compra está vinculado à qualidade da aparência estética do produto, e que o fator preço não interfere no aumento ou redução do consumo. / This study aimed to describe the decision making process of buying apple in Porto Alegre - RS, seeking to deepen the knowledge about the factors that influence the decision to buy fruit at last link in the supply chain of Apple: the end consumer. For the effective conduct of this study, the methodological process presented an exploratory study, conducted in a qualitative phase, which were expressed in the indicators related to decision-making product purchase based on pre-existing material on the topic, and exploratory interviews with experts and consumers with apple , and other quantitative phase, at which time the instrument was used to collect the target audience. After understanding the current status of the production chain of fruit and completing the questionnaires, the data were analyzed and interpreted using the statistical software SPSS Version 16. Results observed to enable understanding of the decision making process of buying apple in Porto Alegre - RS, and demonstrate that the aspects that motivate consumption of fruit are related to appeal to health, and the main decision factor when buying is linked to the quality of the aesthetic appearance of the product, and the price did not interfere with the increase or decrease in consumption.

As crescentes exigências por qualidade e demanda a alimentos seguros pressionam as cadeias agroalimentares, para que adotem sistemas produtivos alternativos, e que estes gerem produtos saudáveis e inócuos ao consumo humano, por meio de práticas rastreáveis, visando à proteção do meio ambiente, dos trabalhadores e dos consumidores. A Produção Integrada de Maçã (PIM) surgiu como uma resposta a essas exigências, atuando como uma ferramenta de padronização da produção dessa fruta. A partir disso, o trabalho verificou se a adoção da PIM, na cadeia produtiva de maçã, é suficiente para que esse produto não esteja sujeito a barreiras técnicas e não tarifárias do mercado externo. Para isso, foram pesquisadas quais certificações para maçã são mais relevantes aos mercados consumidores, buscando identificar e classificar os requisitos e qual o posicionamento da PIM perante essas regulamentações. Para tanto, foi desenvolvido um estudo exploratório, por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e de levantamento dentro da PIM, pelo qual foi possível identificar que necessidade de ajustes para que esse programa mantenha sua relevância como certificação na cadeia produtiva da maçã, pois não possui a equiparação aos selos internacionais, necessária para sua aceitação no Exterior e nem conhecimento no mercado nacional. / The increasing demand for quality and safe food is been pushing the agri-food chains to adopt alternative production systems, with the purpose of generate healthy and innocuous products for human consumption through traceable practices, in order to protect the environment, workers and consumer. The integrated apple production (PIM) has emerged as a response to these requirements, serving as a tool to standardize the production of this fruit. From this, the study examined whether the adoption of pim in apple production chain, it is enough to avoid that this product being a subject for technical and non-tariff barriers in the foreign market. Considering this, it was researched which apple certifications are more relevant to the consumer markets, looking for identifying and classifying the requirements and also which is the positioning of the pim considering this kind of regulations. Therefore, was developted an exploratory study, through a bibliografic, documental and survey research inside the PIM, from which it was possible identify that the PIM requires adjustments to maintain its relevance as a certification in the apple productive chain, because it still does not have the equalization to the international labels, that is required to its acceptance on abroad, or even the recognition in the domestic market