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High-end variety exporters defying gravity: micro facts and aggregate implications

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  • MAYNERIS, Florian
  • MARTIN, Julien

Abstract

We develop a new methodology to identify high-end variety exporters in French firm-level data. We find that they do not export to more countries, but they export to more distant destinations than low-end ones. We also show that in contrast to low-end exporters, distance has almost no effect on high-end variety export(er)s. Because of this lower sensitivity to distance at the micro-level, specializing in the production of high-end varieties has implications for the geography of aggregate exports. Specializing in high-end varieties allows for a greater geographic diversification of aggregate exports – in particular when demand arises from both neighboring and distant countries. It also makes a country better able to benefit from growth in remote destinations.
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Suggested Citation

  • MAYNERIS, Florian & MARTIN, Julien, 2015. "High-end variety exporters defying gravity: micro facts and aggregate implications," LIDAM Reprints CORE 2712, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cor:louvrp:2712
    Note: In : Journal of International Economics, 96(1) 2015, p. 55-71
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    3. Agnes Kügler & Andreas Reinstaller & Klaus S. Friesenbichler, 2023. "Can value chain integration explain the diverging economic performance within the EU?," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 50(1), pages 25-47, March.
    4. Bastos, Paulo & Silva, Joana, 2010. "The quality of a firm's exports: Where you export to matters," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(2), pages 99-111, November.
    5. Flach, Lisandra & Unger, Florian, 2022. "Quality and gravity in international trade," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    6. Latzer, Hélène & Mayneris, Florian, 2021. "Average income, income inequality and export unit values," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 625-646.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F43 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Economic Growth of Open Economies
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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