Work

Trade Facilitation and Sustainable Agricultural Trade in the RCEP: Empirical Evidence from China’s Heterogeneous Impacts

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Trade facilitation in regard to agricultural products plays a critical role in reducing costs and enhancing efficiency, especially in today’s complex global economic environment. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine how trade facilitation measures contribute to sustainable agricultural trade development in the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) region, with the aim of providing actionable policy recommendations. This study investigates the impact of trade facilitation on agricultural trade between China and other RCEP members through two complementary approaches—developing a multidimensional evaluation index system and implementing an extended gravity model—both applied to decade-spanning panel data. The results reveal that a 1% improvement in trade facilitation levels increases the volume of agricultural trade by 8.397%, with e-commerce development being the most influential driver. However, stringent customs procedures show counterintuitive negative effects, highlighting unique challenges in agricultural supply chains. As the largest agricultural trader within the RCEP, China should prioritize digital infrastructure investment and multilateral cooperation to address these barriers, thereby advancing regional trade liberalization.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17177640

Authors: Shuangshuang Shan, Yunxian Yan

Institutions: Jilin Agricultural University, Jilin International Studies University

Language: English

Topic: Global trade and economics

Subfield: General Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Decent work and economic growth, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896