Impact of European Food Safety Border Inspections on Agri-Food Exports: Evidence from Chinese Firms

Lionel Fontagné, Anne-Célia Disdier and Matthias Beestermöller
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Matthias Beestermöller ()

Working Papers from CEPII research center

Abstract: The cost of complying with a sanitary standard is certain. However, such regulatory measure introduces an element of uncertainty for exporting firms in relation to border rejections. Shipments may fail to pass inspections and may be refused entry into the importing country. This risk is shaped by variance in the quality of the exported product, and the stringency of the border controls. Large developing countries are over-represented in import refusals and may be targeted by inspectors. We examine how the risk of rejection at European borders on safety grounds is affecting Chinese agri-food exporters. We combine information from the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed with Chinese firm-level export data by product, destination and year for the period 2000-2011. We show that information externalities and reputation effects are important. Border rejections amplify the turnover among firms at the extensive margin of trade. This risk is curbing small Chinese exporters and resulting in a concentration of Chinese exports from big and more productive exporters.

Keywords: Food Safety; Border Inspections; Import Refusals; Uncertainty; Firm Heterogeneity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F14 L25 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr, nep-bec and nep-int
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Impact of European food safety border inspections on agri-food exports: Evidence from Chinese firms (2018)
Working Paper: Impact of European food safety border inspections on agri-food exports: Evidence from Chinese firms (2018)
Working Paper: Impact of European food safety border inspections on agri-food exports: Evidence from Chinese firms (2018)
Working Paper: Impact of European food safety border inspections on agri-food exports: Evidence from Chinese firms (2018)
Working Paper: Impact of European food safety border inspections on agri-food exports: Evidence from Chinese firms (2018)
Working Paper: Impact of European Food Safety Border Inspections on Agri-Food Exports: Evidence from Chinese Firms (2016)
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