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Impact of European food safety border inspections on agri-food exports: Evidence from Chinese firms

Author

Listed:
  • Matthias Beestermöller

    (LMU - Ludwig Maximilian University [Munich] = Ludwig Maximilians Universität München)

  • Anne-Célia Disdier

    (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Lionel Fontagné

    (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

The cost of complying with a sanitary standard is certain. However, such measure introduces uncertainty for exporters in relation to border rejections. Shipments may fail to pass inspections and may be refused entry into the importing country. This risk is shaped by variance in the quality of the exported product, and the stringency of the border controls. We examine how the risk of rejection at European borders on safety grounds is affecting Chinese agri-food exporters. We combine information from the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed with Chinese firm-level export data by product, destination and year for the period 2000–2011. Information externalities and reputation effects are important. Border rejections amplify the turnover among firms at the extensive margin of trade. This risk is curbing small exporters and resulting in a concentration of Chinese exports among big exporters.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthias Beestermöller & Anne-Célia Disdier & Lionel Fontagné, 2018. "Impact of European food safety border inspections on agri-food exports: Evidence from Chinese firms," PSE-Ecole d'économie de Paris (Postprint) hal-01659787, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:pseptp:hal-01659787
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2017.11.004
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    3. Gründler, Klaus & Hillman, Arye L., 2021. "Ambiguous protection," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
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    5. Liu, Qing & Ma, Hong, 2020. "Trade policy uncertainty and innovation: Firm level evidence from China’s WTO accession," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    6. Luisa Kinzius & Alexander Sandkamp & Erdal Yalcin, 2019. "Trade protection and the role of non-tariff barriers," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 155(4), pages 603-643, November.
    7. Xi He, 2020. "US agricultural exports and labor market adjustments," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 51(4), pages 609-621, July.
    8. DOAN Thi Thanh Ha & ZHANG Hongyong, 2022. "Technical Barriers to Trade, Product Quality and Trade Margins: Firm-level evidence," Discussion papers 22056, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    9. Fiankor, Dela-Dem Doe & Ehrich, Malte & Brümmer, Bernhard, 2016. "EU-African Regional Trade Agreements as a Development Tool to Reduce EU Border Rejections," GlobalFood Discussion Papers 244352, Georg-August-Universitaet Goettingen, GlobalFood, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.
    10. Kathy Baylis & Lia Nogueira & Linlin Fan & Kathryn Pace, 2022. "Something fishy in seafood trade? The relation between tariff and non‐tariff barriers," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 104(5), pages 1656-1678, October.
    11. Rui Mao & Mengying Xing & Xiaohua Yu, 2021. "Quality response to real exchange rate shocks: A panel SVAR analysis on China's agricultural exports," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 52(5), pages 719-731, September.
    12. Mao, Rui & Liu, Yuhang & Wang, Xiaoxi, 2023. "Economic and environmental impacts of agricultural non-tariff measures: evidence based on ad valorem equivalent estimates," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 26(3), January.
    13. Jason A. Winfree, 2023. "Collective reputation and food," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(2), pages 666-683, June.
    14. Fatima Olanike Kareem & Inmaculada Martínez-Zarzoso & Bernhard Brümmer, 2023. "What Drives Africa’s Inability to Comply with EU Standards? Insights from Africa’s Institution and Trade Facilitation Measures," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 35(4), pages 938-973, August.
    15. 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.
    16. Grundke, Robert & Moser, Christoph, 2019. "Hidden protectionism? Evidence from non-tariff barriers to trade in the United States," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 143-157.
    17. Traoré, Ousmane Z & Tamini, Lota D., 2020. "The Net Effect of the Technical Non-Tariff Measures in OECD countries on African Exports of Plant Products," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304460, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    18. Jiehong Zhou & Yu Wang & Rui Mao, 2019. "Dynamic and spillover effects of USA import refusals on China's agricultural trade: Evidence from monthly data," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 65(9), pages 425-434.
    19. INUI,Tomohiko & OBASHI,Ayako & YANG,Qizhong, 2024. "Impact of border rejection experience on export performance: Firm-level evidence from China," IDE Discussion Papers 930, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization(JETRO).
    20. Shuyao Yang, 2020. "Technical Barriers to Trade and Firms' Export Decisions," CESifo Working Paper Series 8693, CESifo.
    21. Jin, Yu & Zhou, Jiehong & Ye, Juntao, 2023. "Value of certification in collective reputation crises: Evidence from Chinese dairy firms," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
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    23. Li, Haoran & Wan, Xibo & Zhang, Wendong, 2021. "How do Firms Respond to Long-term Political Tensions? Evidence from Chinese Food Importers," ISU General Staff Papers 202106020700001118, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    24. Shingal, Anirudh & Ehrich, Malte, 2024. "The EU’s pesticides MRLs harmonization: effect on trade, prices and quality," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    food safety; border inspections; import refusals; uncertainty; firm heterogeneity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • Q17 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agriculture in International Trade
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy

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