Evaluación de la trazabilidad del proceso de exportación del cacao sostenible de la empresa AGROCAO SAS.

Abstract

This research analyzed the traceability of the sustainable cocoa export process of the company AGROCAO SAS, fulfilling the objectives underlying the study. The main problem identified lies in the complexity of the sustainable cocoa supply chain, as it involves several actors and stages, from individual producers on rural farms to farmer associations, local intermediaries, collection centers, land transportation, as well as fermentation and drying facilities, until finally reaching port warehouses for international export. Each of the actors involved in the supply chain carries out independent operations that generate records and data whose availability is critical for effective traceability. This risk is further exacerbated by the lack of full integration between the technological systems used by the various actors in the chain. As a result, the transmission of important traceability information between producers, intermediaries, collection centers, transporters, and export companies can be delayed or contain errors, affecting the timely availability of data required by international buyers and certification bodies. Through document review and interviews with experts and farmers, it was evident that cocoa farming culture in Ecuador combines ancestral practices and modern technical knowledge. It was also evident that the implementation of sustainable practices is growing, which requires greater support from institutions. Based on the results, strategies were proposed to strengthen traceability from cultural perspectives, combining training, support, and the appropriate use of technologies.