Examining the Impact of Digital Economy on Agricultural Trade Efficiency in RCEP Region: A Perspective Based on Spatial Spillover Effects

The convergence of the digital economy and international trade has emerged as a transformative force in the global landscape. This study delves into the intricate relationship between the digital economy and agricultural trade efficiency within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) region. Through empirical analysis and spatial exploration, we uncover significant insights into the mechanisms driving trade efficiency enhancement. Our findings underscore the digital economy’s pivotal role in boosting agricultural trade efficiency, with a pronounced impact on export trade. Mechanism analysis reveals that trade innovation, upgrading, and cost reduction serve as critical channels through which the digital economy propels trade efficiency improvements. The spatial analysis exposes intriguing parallels between the distribution patterns of the digital economy and agricultural trade efficiency, indicative of a mutually reinforcing association. Furthermore, our study identifies positive spatial spillover effects, signifying the potential of digital economic development to foster enhanced agricultural trade efficiency in neighboring countries.