Objective:

To examine the problems and challenges faced by these small-scale producers, after the insertion and boom of the mango chain in international markets, and on the other, the strategies they have developed to dynamically integrate with activity.

Methodology:

A retrospective longitudinal analysis of integration was carried out, using own information, obtained in the field through interviews with key informants (n=18) and an applied survey (n=132), between the 2020 and 2021 seasons, whose size of sample was obtained through the formula for qualitative variables with finite population.

Results:

It is found that as the activity has positioned itself in the Isthmus-Coast region, the production processes have become increasingly rigorous and standardized to comply with the set of national and international norms and standards that regulate the activity, and compliance with which is decisive to be able to participate and compete in these markets.

Limitations:

This study is focused on the role of small-scale producers, however, the dynamics, problems and challenges present in larger-scale producers could be analyzed in later studies.

Conclusions:

Despite their status as subordinates’ units, these small producers are relevant actors with the capacity for agency and organization, who know how to build networks and alliances, from which they fight, negotiate, and create mechanisms that allow them to face these challenges, and even take advantage of opportunities offer the hard and complex global agro-export system.