The implications of international trade: an empirical analysis of Made in Italy agri-food exports to China

Abstract

With the development of international trade, shifts in food consumption habits and in the demand for foreign food products have occured, especially in emerging countries. The growing adaptation to Western tastes has influenced food exports, including those of the increasingly well-known Italian agri-food sector. Many economists consider this industry as one of the main drivers of the economic growth of our country; this is especially due to the brilliant dynamics of Made in Italy agri-food exports, which are reaching even more distant markets such as China. The Dragon, after its adhesion to the WTO, has undergone a process of socio-economic development and market liberalization, which has favored foreign presence in the country. Chinese authorities were, therefore, committed to change its regulatory system to ensure that it was in line with the international framework and to promote cooperation through the signing of bilateral trade agreements, an important tool also for trade development. Having considered the above, the objective of my thesis is to provide an empirical analysis of the opportunities of Made in Italy agri-food products' exports to the Chinese market. First, my research has focused on the requirements and procedures that exporters have to follow to export agri-food products, by taking into consideration the norms of both the European Union and China. Then, I have provided some literary review in order to understand the legal-ground of these norms and the impact of international trade on the Chinese market development, in particular from a socio-economic point of view. Based on this, I have also considered, as a consequence of the structural changes of global trade, the impact on Made in Italy agri-food exports and the growing importance of enterprises’ internationalization processes. Finally, I have provided an empirical analysis based on two research questions, which have been discussed and verified, having considered the most representative food products namely: dairy products, coffee, wine, pasta, olive oil, fresh fruit and meat.