El Covid-19 y su impacto en los sistemas de producción en las pymes del sector alimentario, ubicadas en las parroquias de Carcelén y Calderón, de la ciudad de Quito, entre el período 2019 y 2022.

Abstract

The food production sector plays a significant role in the economy of any country. In March 2020, the Ecuadorian government declared a health emergency in response to the global crisis generated by the Covid-19 pandemic. This measure resulted in the implementation of a series of restrictions, such as confinement and the suspension of most economic activities. This research aims to examine the most significant repercussions caused by Covid-19 in the food industries of Quito. Through an exploratory approach, the aim is to obtain valuable information about the challenges and changes experienced by these companies during the pandemic. A total of 14 companies located in the Calderón and Carapungo sectors were selected. For data collection and descriptive analysis, two research methodologies were used. Firstly, a survey was carried out in which 8 companies participated, with the aim of studying the crisis experienced by the company in the period between 2019 and 2022. Subsequently, interviews were organized with another group of 6 companies to collect more specific and detailed information. The findings of this research reveal that, depending on the commercial activity of the companies that participated, they faced various challenges and developed strategies to overcome the crisis caused by the pandemic. Surprisingly, 50% of businesses reported that they were not affected by the pandemic. Resilience and the ability to adapt quickly emerge as key factors in coping with crisis situations.