REVEALED COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE OF WATERMELON TRADE IN ASEAN 5 COUNTRIES

Watermelon Citrullus Lanatus (Thunb) is an important commercial fruit crop in ASEAN. One way to improve economic growth is through trade and comparative advantage. There are very some researches regarding with comparative advantage of watermelon trade in ASEAN. The purpose of this article is to determine the comparative advantage of watermelon trade in five ASEAN member countries. This article uses secondary data only. Watermelon trade data covering the six years period 2014-2019 were obtained from the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database. This article applies the original index of the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) and revealed symmetric comparative advantage (RSCA) to find out the level of comparative advantage of watermelon commodity. Results show that Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Myanmar and Viet Nam have a comparative advantage of watermelon trade in the global market. This study suggests that ASEAN 5 member nations should try to maintain its comparative advantage of watermelon exports in the international market.

Asymmetric J-curve in the Commodity Trade between Pakistan and China

The J-curve is a term used to describe short-run deterioration in the trade balance combined with long-run improvement subsequent to a currency devaluation or depreciation. While the majority of studies have tested the symmetric J-curve concept, the new direction is to test for an asymmetric J-curve. We tested both concepts for each of the 21 two-digit industries that trade between Pakistan and its major partner, China. While we found support for the symmetric J-curve in only six industries, we found support for the asymmetric J-curve in 13 industries. The two largest industries, coded 71 (machinery other than electric with 21.14% trade share) and 72 (electrical machinery, apparatus, and appliances with 16.87% trade share) were found to be in the list.

From the Fragrant Highlands to the Netherlands: A Case Study on the Evolution of the Adoption of Ethical Value Chains for Kerinci Cinnamon

<p>The concept of ethical value chains emerged as a response to conventional trade that has put a strain on small producers in the resource periphery. The alternative chains are said to allow trade to be carried out in fairer terms and for the benefits to be distributed to all actors in the value chains. This concept however, has not been widely used in the global spice industry. This research aims to investigate the nature and evolution of ethical value chains of an Indonesian cinnamon commodity. As part of the resource periphery, Indonesia is the leading producer of cinnamon, with 66% of the world’s cinnamon supply coming from this country. The cinnamon industry itself has long been an important source of income for the people of Kerinci, the largest cinnamon producing area in Indonesia. Using a qualitative case study, this research examined TAKTIK, a farmers’ group in Kerinci, which is known to have been implementing some form of ethical practices in their value chains. The study found that ethical practices occurred as a result of a value chains intervention programme conducted by an International NGO and a local NGO. Ethical value chains were adopted through the establishment of a farmers’ organisation, adoption of organic farming and certification, and Geographical Indications registration. This study finds that the factors that prompted the adoption of the ethical practices varied among value chain actors. However, there was a common goal of improving the livelihood of farmers and realising more equitable commodity trade. This research enriches the global literature on ethical value chains, particularly on spice commodity and the benefits of adoption for value chain actors.</p>

From the Fragrant Highlands to the Netherlands: A Case Study on the Evolution of the Adoption of Ethical Value Chains for Kerinci Cinnamon

<p>The concept of ethical value chains emerged as a response to conventional trade that has put a strain on small producers in the resource periphery. The alternative chains are said to allow trade to be carried out in fairer terms and for the benefits to be distributed to all actors in the value chains. This concept however, has not been widely used in the global spice industry. This research aims to investigate the nature and evolution of ethical value chains of an Indonesian cinnamon commodity. As part of the resource periphery, Indonesia is the leading producer of cinnamon, with 66% of the world’s cinnamon supply coming from this country. The cinnamon industry itself has long been an important source of income for the people of Kerinci, the largest cinnamon producing area in Indonesia. Using a qualitative case study, this research examined TAKTIK, a farmers’ group in Kerinci, which is known to have been implementing some form of ethical practices in their value chains. The study found that ethical practices occurred as a result of a value chains intervention programme conducted by an International NGO and a local NGO. Ethical value chains were adopted through the establishment of a farmers’ organisation, adoption of organic farming and certification, and Geographical Indications registration. This study finds that the factors that prompted the adoption of the ethical practices varied among value chain actors. However, there was a common goal of improving the livelihood of farmers and realising more equitable commodity trade. This research enriches the global literature on ethical value chains, particularly on spice commodity and the benefits of adoption for value chain actors.</p>

Analisis Ekspor Kayu Manis Indonesia ke Amerika Serikat

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis perkembangan volume ekspor kayu manis Indonesia ke Amerika Serikat, harga kayu manis ekspor, nilai tukar dan produksi kayu manis domestik. Selain itu, penelitian ini juga menganalisis pengaruh harga kayu manis ekspor, nilai tukar dan produksi kayu manis domestik terhadap ekspor kayu manis Indonesia ke Amerika Serikat tahun 2000-2017. Data yang digunakan diperoleh dari website resmi Badan Pusat Statistik Indonesia, United Nation Commodity Trade (UN COMTRADE), dan Dinas Perkebunan. Metode analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode analisis deskriptif dan kuantitatif dengan analisis regresi linier berganda. Berdasarkan hasil analisis regresi linier berganda, secara simultan harga kayu manis ekspor, nilai tukar dan produksi kayu manis domestik berpengaruh signifikan terhadap ekspor kayu manis Indonesia ke Amerika Serikat. Secara parsial, nilai tukar dan produksi kayu manis domestik berpengaruh signifikan tetapi harga kayu manis ekspor tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap ekspor kayu manis Indonesia ke Amerika Serikat.