Hortifruti in Central America: A Case Study About the Influence of Supermarkets on the Development and Evolution of Creditworthiness Among Small and Medium Agricultural Producers

This case study takes a close look at two dimensions of the process of expansion of access to financial services (particularly credit), for small and medium agricultural producers in developing countries, both related to their participation in new types of value chains. The analysis attempts to look past the question of where small farmers now typically turn for the satisfaction of their demands for credit. It focuses, instead, on the several ways that existing or potential value chain relationships can facilitate increased access to a broad range of financial services. In addition, the case study looks at the converse direction of causality; that is, it explores ways in which expanded access to the services from financial intermediation can facilitate increased and improved smallholder participation in such chains.