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    The impact of trade liberalisation on the Indonesian food crop sector : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Economics at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1994) Da Costa, Helder
    Studies of agricultural trade policies in developed countries generally focus their attention on impacts in their own domestic markets. Less attention has been given to impacts on developing countries nor their need for special and differential treatment in multilateral trade negotiations. This study assesses the impacts of trade liberalisation by modelling the outcome of the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations. The removal of support in the industrialised nations on the Indonesian food crops sector was examined. Using the Static World Policy Simulation (SWOPSIM) model of world agricultural trade, the impacts on Indonesian consumption, production and net trade were estimated. The results indicate that Indonesian exports of corn would expand, and the country could also become an exporter of rice. Imports of sugar could expand partly as a result of a reduction in Indonesian sugar subsidies. While multilateral trade liberalisation that results in higher world prices may have a negative effect on food importing developing countries, this was found not to be the case for Indonesia (at least for the food crops studied). The increase in producer welfare would more than compensate for the fall in consumer welfare, government subsidy expenditures would fall and the country's trade balance would improve. In addition, continuing unilateral deregulatory and liberalisation measures in other sectors of the Indonesian economy, as well as in agriculture, will provide scope for the development of further new export opportunities.
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    Free trade or fair trade? How changes in the current international trade system could act as a development tool for third world countries : the Brazilian case : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2002) Couto, Rossana Gabriely de Oliveira
    This study analyses and discusses the impacts of fair trade on cooperatives in Brazil. It also addresses the debate on free trade, showing its weaknesses and strengths; and it acknowledges the importance of governments' macropolicies in promoting development though trade. This study supports the view that international trade, as practised today, is detrimental to the economies of Third World countries, and it suggests actions to overcome negative impacts of international trade. One of these suggestions is alternative trade. However, this study argues that alternative trade, although an efficient tool in promoting the interests of small farmers, poor communities, and unskilled workers, should not be substituted for mainstream trade. Instead, alternative trade should act as a complement and promote the interests of those who have been losing with trade liberalisation policies. In examining one of the alternatives to free trade (the fair trade movement) research was conducted in Brazil in 2001. The evidence from research shows that although fair trade is found in its initial stages in Brazil, the impact has been beneficial to those cooperatives involved with it. The research also found differences between rural and urban participants. Groups in a rural context shared same experiences and types of products (agriculture), while groups in an urban context shared different experiences and were involved in other types of products (manufactures). Although all groups shared some similar difficulties, rural groups were more disadvantaged in terms of the distance, lack of infrastructure, communication problems, and lack of access to services. This study concludes that although the fair trade movement is still in its initial stages in Brazil and has had minor macroeconomic impacts on the Brazilian economy, it should be encouraged since it creates opportunities for marginalised groups to sell their production and reach a minimum standard of living. The study also argues that both alternative and mainstream trading system have their strengths and weaknesses, and that the ideas behind alternative trade should be incorporated into the mainstream trading system in order to make it fairer to all participants.
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    Response to New Zealand's agricultural sector from economic growth and free trade in China : a computable general equilibrium analysis : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Economics at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Wallace, Michael John; Wallace, Michael John
    China’s growth performance over the last three decades has stood at a phenomenal nine percent per annum and shows little sign of abating despite challenging market conditions in recent times. With ever increasing demand and limited land availability this is set to have an increasing impact on New Zealand which has a comparative advantage in land-intensive agricultural products. Already this is observable in recent trade statistics. Using GTAP (global trade analysis project), a computable general equilibrium model, this research estimates the future effects of Chinese growth to New Zealand’s agricultural sectors and its economy in general. Almost all primary industries in New Zealand can expect to benefit from China’s growth, most notably wool and forestry. Modest gains in gross domestic product and economic welfare also benefit the country on the whole. Chinese growth also complements the well documented gains of the recently signed free trade agreement between the two nations.