GRAIN STORAGE SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF PARANÁ, BRAZIL, FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify whether there is an association between types of storage and categories of commercialization and use of grains, group the types of storage with the categories of commercialization, and group static and dynamic capacities of the units in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The data were obtained from the Brazilian Registry System of Storage Units for the 2014/2015 season. The association between variables under study was carried out with the chi-square test of independence and correspondence analysis. The cluster analysis consisted of the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean and considered a measure of mixed dissimilarity obtained for sets composed of qualitative and quantitative variables. A significant association was observed between the type of silo battery with the grain usage characteristic and cooperatives that commercialize the grain for use in the domestic market (CICOOPT); between the bulk warehouse and cooperatives that commercialize the grain in the foreign market (CIECOOPT); and between the silo and grain sellers who commercialize the grain in the domestic market (CI). Most types of storage units were grouped in Group 1, with a predominance of the CI characteristic and small to medium size static and dynamic capacity.