Olive production in Northern Iran: physical and comparative advantages analysis

ABSTRACT: Olive is one of the strategic products of Guilan province, northern Iran. Hence, it is very important to determine the optimal production pattern of olive, given the resources scarcity and the assessment of physical and Comparative Advantage (CA). In this study, three physical advantage indices for olive production in Guilan province during 2008-2016 were investigated. Also, the CA, protection and competitiveness indicators of olive production at Guilan province for 2016-17 cultivation years were calculated using the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM). Results showed that Guilan province had scale advantage in olive production. The highest degree of olive plantation concentration was on 2008 with scale advantage index of 2.49. Also, results of efficiency advantage showed that, except for 2008, olive production had efficiency advantage over all under study years at Guilan province. Results of Domestic Resource Costs (DRC) and Social Cost Benefit ratio (SCB) indicators for both traditional and commercial olive plantations revealed the CA of olive production in Guilan province. Also, the competitiveness indices values (UCd and UCx) for both traditional and commercial olive plantations were less than 1. So, the olive production systems in Guilan province had the ability to compete with domestic and international competitors.摘要：橄榄是伊朗北部吉兰省的战略性农产品之一。鉴于资源稀缺约束，且需评估其物理优势与比较优势（Comparative Advantage，CA），确定橄榄最优生产模式具有重要意义。本研究针对2008-2016年吉兰省橄榄生产的三项物理优势指标展开调研。同时，采用政策分析矩阵（Policy Analysis Matrix，PAM），测算得到2016-2017种植年度吉兰省橄榄生产的比较优势、保护水平与竞争力指标。研究结果显示，吉兰省橄榄生产具备规模优势。2008年橄榄种植集中度最高，规模优势指数达2.49。此外，效率优势测算结果表明，除2008年外，吉兰省橄榄生产在所有调研年度内均具备效率优势。针对传统与商业化橄榄种植园的国内资源成本（Domestic Resource Costs，DRC）与社会成本效益比（Social Cost Benefit ratio，SCB）指标测算结果，均证实吉兰省橄榄生产具备比较优势。同时，两类种植园的竞争力指标UCd与UCx均小于1，表明吉兰省橄榄生产体系具备与国内外竞品竞争的能力。