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Why did Argentina become a super-exporter of agricultural and food products during the Belle Époque (1880-1929)?

Author

Listed:
  • Vicente Pinilla

    (Universidad de Zaragoza and IA2)

  • Agustina Rayes

    (Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires and CONICET)

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to explain, from a cliometric perspective, the determinants of the growth of Argentina’s exports between 1880 and 1929. To do this, we have constructed a gravity model with the principal products exported each year by Argentina to its most important trading partners. In this way, we believe that this study constitutes a relevant and original contribution to the analysis of economic growth from a historical perspective and specifically in explaining the factors determining the export success of the settler countries during the first wave of globalisation. Our results show that Argentina’s export-led growth must be explained from both the supply and demand sides. We also find that the reduction in transatlantic transport costs boosted exports.

Suggested Citation

  • Vicente Pinilla & Agustina Rayes, 2017. "Why did Argentina become a super-exporter of agricultural and food products during the Belle Époque (1880-1929)?," Working Papers 0107, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
  • Handle: RePEc:hes:wpaper:0107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Giacomo Domini, 2019. "Patterns of specialisation and economic complexity through the lens of universal exhibitions, 1855-1900," LEM Papers Series 2019/20, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Settler Economies; Economic History of Argentina; First Globalization; Trade Gravity Models; Latin America Economic History;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • N56 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Latin America; Caribbean
    • N76 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Latin America; Caribbean
    • Q17 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agriculture in International Trade

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