nep-cis New Economics Papers
on Confederation of Independent States
Issue of 2019‒04‒01
two papers chosen by
Alexander Harin
Modern University for the Humanities

  1. Spatial market efficiency of grain markets in Russia and global food security: A comparison with the USA By Svanidze, Miranda; Götz, Linde
  2. Baltic Integration and the Euro By Ljungberg, Jonas

  1. By: Svanidze, Miranda; Götz, Linde
    Abstract: Using a threshold vector error correction model approach we find the wheat market of Russia segmented, with the primary grain export region poorly integrated into the domestic market. Results also indicate that trade costs are high, hindering spatial market efficiency of wheat markets in Russia. In addition, our study demonstrates that, by including the USA as benchmark country, a comparative approach enables a more comprehensive assessment of the spatial market efficiency of the wheat market in Russia. The study shows that the distinction between grain production and export potential, especially for markets located in peripheral regions of Russia, is essential to correctly identify Russia's future role for global food security. As a general conclusion, besides raising agricultural production potential it is also essential to strengthen spatial market efficiency in the agricultural sector to boost agricultural export potential and to increase global food security.
    Keywords: Crop Production/Industries, Food Security and Poverty, International Relations/Trade
    Date: 2019
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iamodp:285196&r=all
  2. By: Ljungberg, Jonas (Department of Economic History, Lund University)
    Abstract: Which have been the consequences of the euro for integration and economic performance in the Baltic Sea region? After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the three Baltic states and Poland have been rapidly catching-up with Western Europe. The Great Recession became a great setback for the former, while less so for Poland. A difference is the monetary policy: the Polish zloty depreciated in the critical moment of the crisis, while currency boards with the aim of joining the euro bestowed appreciation for the Baltics and Finland. Contrary to the purpose, monetary integration has not fostered integration in trade, and the share of the Eurozone in Baltic trade has stagnated. A comparison with other countries in the Baltic Sea region suggests that the euro provides “the golden fetters” of our time. Emigration, also a kind of integration, has become a safety valve with severe social and economic consequences for the Baltic states.
    Keywords: economic growth; integration; exports; EMU; Baltic Sea region; exchange rates
    JEL: E39 E42 F14 F15 F43 N14
    Date: 2019–03–20
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:luekhi:0198&r=all

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