Factors influencing the global agricultural trade: A network analysis.

In this study, a global agricultural trade network was constructed, and its topological characteristics from 1991 to 2021 were analysed. The influences of nine variables were empirically tested, including factor endowments and economic, geographical, and institutional factors. The research results show that the scale of trade networks is constantly expanding, and trade relations are becoming increasingly concentrated. Further, global agricultural trade patterns are gradually being reshaped. However, European economies and the United States still dominate the power of network control, with a clear 'core-edge' hierarchy. Among the factors influencing the global agricultural trade network, differences in arable land areas, agricultural product prices, geographical distances, and financial institutions have proven important. However, their influence varies. Compared to the differences in the endowments of other factors, the comparative advantage of agricultural trade in various nodes worldwide comes more from the arable land areas. The greater the difference in agricultural prices, the closer are the trade ties between nodes. Differences in geographical distance have proven conducive to establishing agricultural trade relations. Finally, the greater the difference in financial systems, the greater the likelihood that agricultural trade links will occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]