How Is the Liberalization of Food Markets Progressing? Market Integration and Transaction Costs in Subsistence Economies

B-Tier
Journal: World Bank Economic Review
Year: 2013
Volume: 27
Issue: 1
Pages: 28-54

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We propose a modification of Baulch's parity bounds model to measure the market integration of food markets in developing countries. Instead of extrapolating a single observation of transaction costs, we estimate transaction costs. Predicted transaction costs compare well with survey data of traders. Probabilities of market regimes, computed on the basis of predicted transaction costs, fluctuate significantly and do not support fixed regime probabilities over time. The probability of market integration with trade decreases consistently during food shortages, increasing either the probability of no trade or loss-making trade or the probability of profitable but unexploited trade opportunities. The data further support a negative trend in market integration with trade. Copyright 2013, Oxford University Press.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:wbecrv:v:27:y:2013:i:1:p:28-54
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29