Impact of producer profiles on the sustainability of protected agriculture: analysis of the COMESA value network

Resumen

Objective: to analyze how producer profiles influence the sustainability of production units under protected agriculture, using historical customer records and the dynamics of a Mexican agribusiness, COMESA's value network, as a case study.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: producers were segmented into three main groups —subsidized producers (inductees), entrepreneurs, and intermediary service providers— based on their financial and operational characteristics. Transaction recurrence was analyzed as an indicator of financial sustainability. Some tools of social network analysis were also applied to map their integration into the value network.

Results: entrepreneurial producers showed greater operational continuity and a significant share for COMESA's revenues. This financial power is reflected in more sustainable production units. In contrast, subsidized producers showed low transaction recurrence and weak loyalty, which limits the long-term sustainability of those production units.

Limitations/ Implications of the study: despite this analysis is based on the records of a single company, our findings offer a replicable framework that can guide support strategies in similar contexts.

Findings/ Conclusions: strengthening connections with strategic stakeholders —such as financial institutions, marketing companies, and technical advisors— is essential to improve the sustainability of production units, especially among the most vulnerable producers. Considering producer profiles in development programs can improve long-term results.