Non-parametric Measuring of Market Structure and Comparative Advantage of Iran's Medicinal Plants Export and its Main Trading Partners

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the market structure and comparative advantage dominated in Iran’s export medicinal plants and its main trading partners by using the non-parametric concentration and comparative advantage. For this purpose, the data of selected medicinal plants at the level of HS code over the period 2018-2011 extracted from the database, and statistical information of FAO and Trade Map have been used. The results indicated that Iran had a comparative advantage of the export of studied medicinal plants, but it had not the necessary stability. Moreover, in this field, the market structure is non-competitive. According to the results of the global export market concentration indices for fennel, anise, coriander, cumin, and cedar (code 0909) were the most concentrated markets in the mentioned years. Therefore, due to Iran having the potential to expand and develop the export of these products, for making active it some implement such as; market Decentralization, processing and improving packaging tailored to consumer tastes in global markets, and government’s economic and political support for exporters, are recommended.