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Harmonization of food trade standards and regulations in ASEAN: the case of Malaysia's food imports

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  • Evelyn S. Devadason
  • VGR Chandran
  • Kaliappa Kalirajan

Abstract

Regulatory heterogeneity continues to be identified as a challenge for food trade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the progress of harmonization of food standards among member states remains slow. Using a new and comprehensive database on nontariff measures (NTMs), this article examines the coverage, frequency, and diversity of NTMs for the food sector in Malaysia, and then estimates their impact on food imports from ASEAN. The food sector in Malaysia is found to be highly regulated, dominated by technical measures, namely, labeling for sanitary and phytosanitary and technical barriers to trade reasons, product quality, and restricted substances. The empirical results subsequently verify that, overall, technical measures are import restrictive. This article therefore contends that harmonization of food standards and regulations at the regional level is important for enhancing trade. However, building common ground for food safety regulations should be NTM†and sector†specific, to realize progress in terms of regulatory convergence. This is particularly true for the food sector, since complete harmonization is not practical and not politically feasible.

Suggested Citation

  • Evelyn S. Devadason & VGR Chandran & Kaliappa Kalirajan, 2018. "Harmonization of food trade standards and regulations in ASEAN: the case of Malaysia's food imports," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 49(1), pages 97-109, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:agecon:v:49:y:2018:i:1:p:97-109
    DOI: 10.1111/agec.12398
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    Cited by:

    1. Fabio Gaetano Santeramo & Emilia Lamonaca, 2022. "Standards and regulatory cooperation in regional trade agreements: What the effects on trade?," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(4), pages 1682-1701, December.
    2. Yang, Qizhong, 2024. "Heterogeneous impact of non-tariff measures on import margins through global value chains: Firm-level evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 533-562.
    3. Jihyun Eum, 2023. "Non‐tariff measures along global value chains: evidence from ASEAN countries," Asian-Pacific Economic Literature, The Crawford School, The Australian National University, vol. 37(2), pages 27-53, November.
    4. Vickie Siew Hoon Yew & Abul Quasem Al-Amin & Evelyn S. Devadason, 2020. "Labour Market Effects of Non-tariff Measures: A Computable General Equilibrium for the Food Processing Sector in Malaysia," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 63(3), pages 629-656, September.
    5. Qizhong Yang & Tsunehiro Otsuki, 2020. "Heterogeneous Impact of Non-Tariff Measures through the Global Value Chains: Empirical Evidence from China," OSIPP Discussion Paper 20E004, Osaka School of International Public Policy, Osaka University.

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