Analysis of the demand for imported meat in Switzerland using a dynamic specification: Implications for the European Union

• Published in: Agribusiness (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 497 - 510
• Main Authors: Feleke, Shiferaw T, Kilmer, Richard L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.10.2007; John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Series: Agribusiness
• Subjects: beef; chicken meat; Demand; econometric models; economic analysis; elasticities; Error Correction Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System; European Union; export policies; food prices; food purchasing; Imports; Meat; Meat industry; mutton; nontariff trade barriers; pork; Price elasticity; Studies; Trade agreements; Switzerland
• ISSN: 0742-4477; 1520-6297
• DOI: 10.1002/agr.20138

The study identifies the long-run equilibrium (steady-state) relationship of the demand for imported meat in Switzerland and the speed of adjustment of the short-run demand using the Error Correction Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System (EC-LA/AIDS). Results indicate that imports of meat into Switzerland have a long-run equilibrium relationship with price and real expenditure. The study also finds that the demand for pork is price elastic, while the demand for beef, chicken, and mutton is price inelastic. Results will have important implications for the EU meat industry to adjust its export supply in response to changes in prices resulting from the bilateral trade agreements in which Switzerland is expected to reduce or abolish nontariff barriers, further open its market, and reduce or abolish all duties and export subsidies. [EconLit citations: Q110, Q130, Q170 © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 23: 497-510, 2007.