Structure and concentration of the global sheep meat market

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine the structure and competitiveness of the global sheep meat market using econometric indices (Balassa's revealed comparative advantage, relative position market [RPM], relative export advantage [RXA], imported specialization index [RMA], relative trade advantage [RTA], and net export index [NEI]), as well as sheep meat production, structure, consumption, and trade volume for 151 countries with sustained participation in the global trade market for sheep meat from 2003 to 2013. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to classify countries. We observed that structure, production, and imports of sheep meat were unconcentrated, e.g., there is no country dominating for those indices; in contrast, the export market was highly concentrated with a duopolistic structure. For trade competitiveness, New Zealand, the Republic of Macedonia, and Sudan were competitive and specialized, while New Zealand and Australia were dominant in the international trade market. The global sheep meat market has become more concentrated, as it has developed as a specialized market. Therefore, there is a need for a holistic vision and understanding of the global sheep meat market so that its impact on farmers can be foreseen.

摘要 本研究旨在针对2003年至2013年间持续参与全球羊肉贸易市场的151个国家，采用计量经济学指标（巴拉萨显示性比较优势（Balassa's Revealed Comparative Advantage）、相对市场地位（Relative Position Market, RPM）、相对出口优势（Relative Export Advantage, RXA）、进口专业化指数（Imported Specialization Index, RMA）、相对贸易优势（Relative Trade Advantage, RTA）及净出口指数（Net Export Index, NEI)），结合羊肉生产、结构、消费及贸易规模，探究全球羊肉市场的结构与竞争力。研究运用分层聚类分析对各国进行归类。结果表明，羊肉的市场结构、生产及进口均处于非集中化状态，暂无国家在上述指标中占据主导地位；与之相对的是，出口市场集中度极高，呈现双寡头格局。在贸易竞争力方面，新西兰、马其顿共和国与苏丹具备竞争优势且专业化程度较高，而新西兰与澳大利亚则在国际羊肉贸易市场占据主导地位。随着全球羊肉市场逐步发展为专业化市场，其集中度亦不断提升。因此，亟需全面认知并把握全球羊肉贸易市场，以便预判其对养殖从业者的影响。