Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agricultural chains Family farming Productivity Rural development Trade

New book identifies three ways to improve market access for agricultural producers

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

The document drafted by IICA specialists presents success factors and positive experiences implemented in other Latin American countries.

Short supply chains,  supply chain linkages and commercial linkages for differentiated products are three stretagies that favor linking and market presence.

San Jose, 19 January 2017 (IICA). A new document, published by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), details three different commercialization strategies that could allow producers to enter and remain in the market. 

The commercialization of agricultural products is one of the most complex components of agricultural production. In many cases, it poses a serious challenge for producers. Limited infrastructure, scant organization, inadequate market vision, and poor value added are some of the hurdles that producers face.

The document Commercialization Strategies that Facilitate Market Access for Agricultural Producers identified three stretegies that favor linking and market presence:

  • short supply chains, such as fairs and farmers’ markets
  • supply chain linkages, school feeding programs
  • commercial linkages for differentiated products, such as marketing of products with differentiated seals (fair trade, origin, organic, etc.)

“These strategies facilitate knowledge of consumer demands, with the aim of developing processes that add value and help small producers integrate into the market, thus allowing them to improve their profits”, said Fatima Almada, leader of Sustainability of Family Farming at IICA.

For each strategy recommended, conditions and success factors are presented to enhance its function. The document includes a report of about 50 cases in the Americas and the Caribbean that may be used as reference, and one to evaluate the initiatives as well.  

“It is hoped that the institutional and commercial innovations encouraged though this document will contribute to increase agricultural productivity and competitiveness, the production of high quality and healthy food, and the well-being of rural territories”, stated Daniel Rodriguez, leader of Agribusiness and Commercialization at IICA.

This document, a free online publication, is a public good that IICA presents to its Member States to assist agricultural producers with market entry and sustainable management. It was drafted by both the Competitiveness and Sustainability of Agricultural Chains and the Productivity and Sustainability of Family Agriculture flagship projects at IICA.

 

More information: daniel.rodriguez@iica.inthernado.riveros@iica.intfatima.almada@iica.int

 

Publication: Commercialization Strategies that Facilitate Market Access for Agricultural Producers

 

Share

Related news​

San José, Costa Rica

June 5, 2025

At IICA, Costa Rican cacao producers are recognized for the excellence of their products and for their contribution to rural development and nutrition in the region

Experts analyzed 15 samples of cacao from various parts of the Central American country, with the five that received the highest scores then declared winners of the 2025 competition. The same five samples were sent to Rome, Italy, where they will represent Costa Rica in the international “Cacao of Excellence” competition, the stepping stone to the International Cocoa Awards.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Turrialba, Costa Rica

June 3, 2025

On a study visit to Costa Rica, ministers of Agriculture, rural youth and women of the Eastern Caribbean were introduced to improved agricultural practices

The mission began with two days of activities at IICA Headquarters in San Jose, including meeting with the IICA Director General, Manuel Otero. The visitors then travelled to CATIE.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San José, Costa Rica

June 2, 2025

Ibero-America sees biofuels as a solution to decarbonize the energy sector  

The annual meeting of the Ibero-American Association of Energy Regulators (ARIAE), held in San Jose and Guanacaste, Costa Rica, featured the II Entrepreneurial Forum, attracting 200 participants, including the Costa Rican Minister of Environment and Energy, the Executive Secretary of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and authorities of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB); the XV Regular Annual Meeting of the ARIAE General Assembly, which was attended by 17 regulatory agencies of ARIAE; and the XXVI Annual Meeting of ARIAE Energy Regulators.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins