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Import demand elasticities revisited

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  • Julia Grübler
  • Mahdi Ghodsi
  • Robert Stehrer

Abstract

Import demand elasticities are regularly used to compute trade restrictiveness indices, to transform estimated effects of trade policies into ad-valorem equivalents, or to judge on the prohibitive level of various tariff and non-tariff policy instruments. The fast rising number of negotiations of free trade agreements and the fact that non-tariff measures are at the core of these strongly motivates for an update of the import demand elasticity estimates provided by Kee, Nicita, and Olarreaga in 2008 which are based on trade data for the period 1988–2001. Following their GDP function approach, we present import demand elasticities for more than 150 countries and over 5000 products over the period 1996–2014. Countries exhibiting the highest average elasticities belong to the economically biggest countries in their respective regions, while countries with the lowest import demand elasticities are typically small island states. Import-weighted results suggest that especially countries rich in natural resources are facing an inelastic import demand, with the agri-food sector being more price-responsive than the manufacturing sector. Finally, import demand for intermediate goods seems to be more elastic than demand for products destined for final consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Grübler & Mahdi Ghodsi & Robert Stehrer, 2022. "Import demand elasticities revisited," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(1), pages 46-74, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:jitecd:v:31:y:2022:i:1:p:46-74
    DOI: 10.1080/09638199.2021.1951820
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    3. Alessandro Antimiani & Luca Salvatici & Ilaria Fusacchia, 2018. "GTAP-VA: An Integrated Tool for Global Value Chain Analysis," Journal of Global Economic Analysis, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, vol. 3(2), pages 69-105, December.
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    8. Leudjou, Roland, 2021. "Assessing the impacts of eliminating Non-Tariff Barriers in the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area on Cameroons economy," Conference papers 330231, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
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    12. Dolabella, Marcelo & Durán Lima, José Elías, 2021. "Integrating Latin America and the Caribbean: Potential effects of removing tariffs and streamlining non-tariff measures," Documentos de Proyectos 46649, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
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    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade

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