Evaluating Competitive Advantages and Market Dynamics in the Global Raisin Industry

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Morteza Majidian
Esmaeil Pishbahar
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran.
10.48311/jast.2026.16883
Abstract
Raisins are a key export commodity due to their nutritional value and global demand. This study evaluates the worldwide raisin industry's competitive advantages and market structure using data from the International Trade Center (2004–2023). Employing Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA), Concentration Ratio (CR), Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), and Trade Competitiveness Index (TCI), the analysis identifies Turkey, the United States, Iran, and Chile as leading exporters, accounting for 64.5% of the market share. Results indicate an oligopolistic market structure with concentrated competition among a few nations. Turkey, the United States, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran exhibit strong RSCA values (near 1), reflecting expertise in raisin exports, while Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Argentina show high TCI scores, indicating robust competitiveness. The study highlights shifts in market dynamics, with emerging exporters like Afghanistan challenging traditional leaders. To enhance their global position, exporters should improve production efficiency, diversify markets, and invest in branding. These findings contribute to understanding trade competitiveness and market evolution in agricultural exports, offering strategic insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders.


Keywords
Global competitiveness index
Global raisin trade
Leading raisin exporters
Revealed comparative advantage
Market structure analysis
Subjects
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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 28, Issue 3
May and June 2026
Pages 537-549