**3.1. Açaí in Ponta de Pedras: from local staple food to global market**

Ponta de Pedras is an important producer of açaí, which is mainly marketed in Belém, and then exported to other regions of Brazil and abroad. Ponta de Pedras harvests 12% of the total amount of açaí produced in Brazil [18].

Açaí extraction can be considered a sustainable activity, fulfilling the regulations issued by the United Nations for Sustainable Development for a global sustainable economy [21]. In Ponta de Pedras, the açaí extraction is part of a local sustainable economy [22].

For many riverside families, this production represents a low-cost way to survive. However, in addition to açaí production, they fish and extract other fruits and heart of palm, with a stable family economy during the açaí crop cultivation. The population has a very close relation with the place where it is inserted, and the main economic activity of both urban and rural inhabitants of the municipality is related to the production of açaí [23].

**Figure 2** shows pictures of the açaí fruit production chain, from the açaí trees to the end product ready to be shipped and sold in *paneiros* (woven containers).

The type of açaí produced on Marajó Island is widely accepted in the market because of its quality due to the climate and to the physical characteristics of the soil [24]. With globalization, the small producers of açaí have changed the rhythm of production to serve an increasingly growing and demanding market. By the end of the twentieth century, açaí was considered a staple food product of the local population, consumed with manioc flour, fish, and shrimp [25].

> process of developing other economic sectors, with potential for tourism activities. However, açaí remains the most important item that advertises the municipality, as it is the largest

> **Figure 2.** Açaí production in the municipality of Ponta de Pedras (a), sale of açaí by canoe in the community of Fortaleza (b), and Açaí open market in Ponta de Pedras (c and d). Source: collection of the Laboratory for Study of Cities—UNIVAP [10].

Globalization and Health in a Small Town in the Amazon Region

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.79431

17

This study attempted to analyze whether this insertion in the global economy, due to açaí exports, has impacted the quality of life and health of the population of Ponta de Pedras. Globalization of healthcare is a complex theme, due to its intricate and varied aspects, but an intriguing topic to be studied. Historically, international health relations have helped find the

The perspective of globalization in healthcare has strong consequences on demography, production, consumption, and the environment and reinforces the need for new approaches that

**4. Globalization, consumption goods, and health in a local** 

cure of many diseases and develop technologies to fight or mitigate epidemics.

consider the relations between local and global/universal aspects [26].

producer of the fruit.

**perspective**

According to reports obtained in the field, workers who act as açaí harvesters receive a low remuneration (R\$ 5.00—five reais or one and a half dollars) per *paneiro* (not full) or a large can, which corresponds to around 18 to 20 kg. However, açaí is the main source of income for many families, who complement their income with the sale of fish, shrimp, pig, and poultry and/or government allowance programs. Another study about açaí conducted in Ponta de Pedras [18] demonstrated that the fruit has changed the reality of several families, who manage to survive between harvests with savings due to the price the product reaches in the market. This way, açaí moves the formal and informal economy of the municipality.

According to the field survey, 92% of the interviewees who work with açaí do not have a labor record booklet in the urban area and 100% in the rural area. Census data [1] also confirm these numbers: 23% of the population living in Ponta de Pedras had a job but without a formal contract, and 52% were self-employed, which characterizes widespread informal employment.

Açaí inserted Ponta de Pedras in the economic and gastronomic scenarios at national and global levels [17], placing the municipality in the global scenario. Ponta de Pedras is in the

production practices and land use, and intensified the relations between rural and urban families and communities living in açaí production municipalities like Ponta de Pedras.

The production of açaí is considered an extractive activity, with exemption from federal [14]

Ponta de Pedras is an important producer of açaí, which is mainly marketed in Belém, and then exported to other regions of Brazil and abroad. Ponta de Pedras harvests 12% of the total

Açaí extraction can be considered a sustainable activity, fulfilling the regulations issued by the United Nations for Sustainable Development for a global sustainable economy [21]. In

For many riverside families, this production represents a low-cost way to survive. However, in addition to açaí production, they fish and extract other fruits and heart of palm, with a stable family economy during the açaí crop cultivation. The population has a very close relation with the place where it is inserted, and the main economic activity of both urban and

**Figure 2** shows pictures of the açaí fruit production chain, from the açaí trees to the end

The type of açaí produced on Marajó Island is widely accepted in the market because of its quality due to the climate and to the physical characteristics of the soil [24]. With globalization, the small producers of açaí have changed the rhythm of production to serve an increasingly growing and demanding market. By the end of the twentieth century, açaí was considered a staple food product of the local population, consumed with manioc flour, fish,

According to reports obtained in the field, workers who act as açaí harvesters receive a low remuneration (R\$ 5.00—five reais or one and a half dollars) per *paneiro* (not full) or a large can, which corresponds to around 18 to 20 kg. However, açaí is the main source of income for many families, who complement their income with the sale of fish, shrimp, pig, and poultry and/or government allowance programs. Another study about açaí conducted in Ponta de Pedras [18] demonstrated that the fruit has changed the reality of several families, who manage to survive between harvests with savings due to the price the product reaches in the market. This way, açaí moves the formal and informal economy of the

According to the field survey, 92% of the interviewees who work with açaí do not have a labor record booklet in the urban area and 100% in the rural area. Census data [1] also confirm these numbers: 23% of the population living in Ponta de Pedras had a job but without a formal contract, and 52% were self-employed, which characterizes widespread informal employment.

Açaí inserted Ponta de Pedras in the economic and gastronomic scenarios at national and global levels [17], placing the municipality in the global scenario. Ponta de Pedras is in the

Ponta de Pedras, the açaí extraction is part of a local sustainable economy [22].

rural inhabitants of the municipality is related to the production of açaí [23].

product ready to be shipped and sold in *paneiros* (woven containers).

**3.1. Açaí in Ponta de Pedras: from local staple food to global market**

and Pará state taxes.

16 Current Issues in Global Health

and shrimp [25].

municipality.

amount of açaí produced in Brazil [18].

**Figure 2.** Açaí production in the municipality of Ponta de Pedras (a), sale of açaí by canoe in the community of Fortaleza (b), and Açaí open market in Ponta de Pedras (c and d). Source: collection of the Laboratory for Study of Cities—UNIVAP [10].

process of developing other economic sectors, with potential for tourism activities. However, açaí remains the most important item that advertises the municipality, as it is the largest producer of the fruit.
