Investigating Iran's Raisin Export Competitiveness in Global Markets

Present study investigated comparative advantages and long run relationship among Iran''s raisin export and competitor countries based on agricultural and non-petroleum commodity basket. Hence، comparative advantages indices include RCA، RSCA، HI and Vector Error Correction Method had been applied. Results revealed that Iran had comparative advantages in exporting raisin considering both agricultural and non-petroleum commodity basket during 1975-2008 and the average amount of RCA، RSCA and HI indices considering agricultural commodity basket equals 17. 66، 33. 7 and 0. 93، respectively، While، considering non-petroleum commodity basket mentioned amounts were 603. 58، 11. 07 and 0. 75. Ranking comparative advantages amounts for all the main exporters of raisin considering non-petroleum commodity basket showed that Iran acquired forth rank while Afghanistan، Greece and Turkey were in first and second places. Also، considering agricultural commodity basket Afghanistan، Iran، Greece and Turkey obtained first to forth ranks، respectively. In the next step، existence of long run relationship among Iran''s raisin export and other main exporters had been examined using RCA amounts. Results revealed that the only long run relationship exist between Iran''s raisin export and Chile and Iran''s export effected by Chile. So، for acquiring market share it is necessary to investigate trade polices of Greece and Turkey more carefully and especial attention should be paid to Chile market.