Feira livre da cidade de Murici/AL: aspectos gerais e perfil dos feirantes

Abstract

The objective was to analyze the socioeconomic profile of vendors and consumption at the open-air market in the municipality of Murici-AL, focusing on the origin of the products, forms of commercialization, and consumer perception. The study was based on the premise that, despite the historical and economic importance of open-air markets, these spaces have been facing increasing devaluation due to the expansion of large retail chains. The results showed that 33.3% of the vendors were between 41 and 50 years old, revealing a low participation of young people as vendors, while the percentage of illiterate individuals was 43.3%, highlighting limitations in human capital. It was found that 57% of the products sold came from rural settlements, reinforcing the role of agricultural production from family farming. Among the most offered products were vegetables, legumes, and fruits (40%), short-cycle crops with high turnover, contributing to the continuous income of the market vendors. Regarding the length of time as a market vendor, there was a balance between the time ranges, with the group with 11 to 20 years of experience standing out (33%). From the consumer's point of view, the main factors of choice and satisfaction were variety, reaching 40%, the affordable price of food, with a percentage of 76%, and the quality of the products, with a female predominance of 63% among the buyers. It is concluded that open-air markets play an essential role in boosting the local economy, strengthening responsible consumption and sustainable commercial practices.