Iran’s Raisins Export Comparative Advantage and Top Five Raisins Exporter Countries

ABSTRACT: Turkey, USA and Iran are the biggest exporters in raisins industry both in quantity and value. They are the world’s largest raisin producers. In this study by using revealed comparative advantage (RCA), symmetrical revealed comparative advantage (RSCA) and ?2 indicators investigate raisins export comparative advantage in Iran and top five raisins exporter countries from 1980 to 2010 and by using ARIMA method RCA and RSCA indices of Iran’s raisins export have predicted from 2011 to 2016. Comparison between RCA of agricultural export and total world export show that Iran in agricultural export has more advantage than world export. Comparison of RCA and RSCA indexes for top six raisins exporter countries show Iran and Turkey have a most comparative advantage for the export of raisins in among other countries. Results of predicted RCA and RSCA indices of raisins export show both the RCA and RSCA indexes of Iran’s raisins export increase in the future years that represent improve Iran’s raisin competitive position in the world.