Value chain analysis of cheese production in the municipality of Aculco (State of Mexico) Mexico

Resumen

Objective: to analyze the value chain of cheese production at the municipality scale, through a mixed approach combining the general guide, for evaluating value chains development, with the specific approach from a business perspective.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: the integration of both approaches allowed for a systemic analysis incorporating social and business dimensions. Main social actors, relationships and bottlenecks —congested points such as operations, specialized work force, or transport— along the chain were identified. Those processes that generate value and determine competitiveness in the local context were highlighted.

Results: the value chain of cheese production in Aculco shows highly artisanal specialization, strong cultural roots, and significant contribution to local development. However, through the SWOT analysis, we found this production chain faces limitations in the articulation among producers, scarce innovation, and vulnerability to external economic and political factors. The mixed approach in this study conformed a methodological reference which can be applied to other agrifood systems to identify and strengthen organizational and business management capacities.

Limitations/ Implications of the study: the analysis was limited to a specific municipality (Aculco, State of Mexico, Mexico) and results must be interpreted within that territorial scope. However, as a methodological reference it is applicable to other production chains, in localities with similar characteristics.

Findings/ Conclusions: the value chain of cheese production in Aculco has both economic and cultural values, which make it a suitable option for the development of the local population. It is necessary to promote territorial integration and encourage sustainable practices that allow producers to foresee strategic scenarios in order to be adapted to changes in the environment.