| Abstrakt: |
Expansion of processed food exports through diversification of products and markets is one of the key development strategies adopted by several developing countries, and South Asia is no exception. The objective of this study was to describe the trends and patterns of export diversification of processed food by Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka during 2001 - 2017. The degree of product and market diversification of processed food was measured using the Herfindahl-Hirschman index employing UN Comtrade data using SITC (Revision 2) classification at the 4-digit level. The analysis conducted on global demand for processed food revealed that meat products, animal and vegetable oils, margarine, prepared food, and bakery and dairy products were in high demand and the USA, Germany, China, UK, and France are the major importers. The analysis conducted on the supply of processed food by the South Asian countries revealed that the composition of processed food export baskets has changed in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from minimally processed levels to moderately and highly processed levels. Moreover, it was found that Bangladesh has significantly diversified processed food exports at the product level. Sri Lanka has steadily diversified its export markets in recent years whereas Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan showed a decline in market diversification. The Ansoff Matrix illustrated that all four countries have been successful in acquiring new markets and exporting new products over the period under consideration and diversification occurred both at the extensive and intensive margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
