Seasonal Variation of Lettuce Supply and Prices in Minas Gerais¹

ABSTRACT

In economic terms the lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is considered relevant among the vegetable crops. The diversity of cultivars available today, their varying climatic requirements and climatic differences between the different producing regions, lettuce may present seasonal variations in supply and prices during agricultural years. The aim of this work was to study the seasonal variation of lettuce supply and prices practiced in the state of Minas Gerais, in the period between January 2012 and December 2017. The data were obtained from CeasaMinas and processed by the centralized moving geometric mean methodology, obtaining the minimum, average and maximum indexes for supply and prices practiced. Lettuce showed a marked seasonal variation in supply and prices, and Ceasa Great-BH presented the highest seasonal variation of price and supply indices practiced. The variations in supply and prices in the hot and rainy season, in relation to the dry season, are markedly more accentuated. It was observed that there is a relationship that follows the “Law of supply”, where in the cold periods of the year the lowest prices associated with the lowest offers were presented and in the hot periods of the year, the highest prices associated with the largest offers were presented.

Keywords
Lactuca sativa L.; horticulture; marketing channels; seasonality