To minimise the negative ecological effects of soybean production, multi-stakeholders along the global soybean supply chain collaborated to develop, implement and verify a global certification standard called the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS). RTRS certification is almost a quasi-mandatory sustainability standard; however, its potential trade effects remain poorly understood. Using a structural gravity model that exploits country variations in RTRS-certified production volumes and certified land areas, we assess the effect of RTRS certification on soybean trade flows. We show that RTRS certification reduces trade flows, especially exports to non-OECD countries. In essence, developing countries experience lower imports in response to standards than do developed countries. Thus, reconciling international trade with environmental sustainability goals remains a challenge.
Chen Y., Fiankor D.-D. D., Fuli T.
Assessing the effect of the round table on responsible soy certification on soybean exports.
The World Economy, 47, (7), 2024, 2970-2994.
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ISSN Print: 0378-5920
ISSN Online: 1467-9701
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1111/twec.13564
Publikations-ID (Webcode): 55915
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