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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 3 July 2025 | Viewed by 32883

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sayed Saghaian

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0276, USA
Interests: agribisiness management; international trade; climate change; governance; price discovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Hosein Mohammadi

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural Economics, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
Interests: international trade; marketing; agribusiness; econometrics; financial management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue investigates the nexus of international trade governance and foreign direct investment policies, and macroeconomic linkages related to sustainable agricultural economics. Economic policies must positively impact globally relevant issues such as climate change, water scarcity, food insecurity, poverty alleviation, environmental degradation, and resource sustainability (water, soil, and nitrogen fertilizer, etc.). Sustainability is particularly crucial when it comes to policy formulation and analysis, while conflicting economic, environmental, and social objectives move toward a resolution.

We are seeking manuscripts investigating agricultural sustainability as it relates to the interaction of agricultural trade governance and environmental policies, the liberalization of specific agricultural trade, the environmentally friendly technology transfer in agriculture, free trade agreements, exchange rate policies, and biofuel policies. These polices have important effects on the trade and prices of environmentally sensitive goods. Selected papers will undergo rigorous peer review and are streamlined for rapid, widespread dissemination of the results.

Prof. Dr. Sayed Saghaian
Dr. Hosein Mohammadi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

international economics
foreign direct investment
exchange rates
governance
policy
macroeconomic impacts
climate change
water scarcity
food insecurity
poverty alleviation
environmental degradation
sustainability of resources

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 1448 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Structure and Influencing Mechanisms of the Global Palm Oil Trade: A Complex Network Perspective

by Shurui Zhang, Ziyu Chen, Yingying Chen and Sisongyu Yang

Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3062; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073062 - 30 Mar 2025

Viewed by 449

Abstract

Against the backdrop of rapid growth in the food processing and biofuel industries across many countries, the global palm oil market has become a critical component of international agricultural trade. This study analyzes the evolution of the global palm oil trade network using palm oil trade data from 182 countries and identifies the associated influencing mechanisms to ensure the security of the international palm oil supply chain. The main findings are as follows: (1) over the past two decades, the global palm oil trade network has increasingly taken on a single, large-community structure, reflecting trends toward globalization and integration; however, it remains heavily concentrated around two core countries: Malaysia and Indonesia. (2) The degree of connectivity between countries in the global palm oil trade has steadily increased. While Malaysia and Indonesia continue to dominate the network, other communities have progressively shrunk in size. (3) In addition to Malaysia and Indonesia, countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have become key players in the global palm oil trade network. (4) Quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) correlation and regression analyses show that differences in population, geographic distance, and institutional distance have significant and stable negative impacts on trade relationships, whereas the presence of a common language has a positive effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Trade Governance and Policy and Sustainable Agricultural Economics)

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19 pages, 1012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Entry into Force on Aquatic Products Trade Among Parties

by Fei Xue, Tinggui Chen and Minghao Xu

Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10620; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310620 - 4 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1348

Abstract

Asia accounted for 167.1 million tons of global fisheries and aquaculture production, 75 percent of the world’s total. Seafood, especially aquaculture products, is a dominant and growing sector and crucial in the Asia-Pacific region for ensuring global food security, supporting sustainable livelihoods, reducing poverty for small-scale fisheries, and promoting environmental sustainability. However, amidst the current backdrop of the World Trade Organization (WTO)‘s inefficiency and dysfunctional mechanism, coupled with a slowdown in global economic growth and the resurgence of trade unilateralism and protectionism, these challenges have created significant barriers to trade, limiting market access and hindering the sustainable growth of the seafood industry. The implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) offers Asia-Pacific economies a promising opportunity to expand trade and stimulate economic growth sustainably. In this study, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential effects of the RCEP on aquatic products trade among the parties. A key marginal contribution in our study is that we adjusted the existing tariff rates under other FTAs to the same period as tariff rates under RCEP and compared the concession rates between these different FTAs to clearly illustrate the potential tariff effects of RCEP. On the non-tariff side, we analyze specific provisions in the RCEP agreement that could potentially affect aquatic products trade and evaluate their possible impacts. The results showed that, as of 2022, in almost all RCEP parties, the average tariffs under the RCEP agreement are generally higher than those under other existing FTAs, which indicates that the tariff concession efforts under RCEP are limited for most parties. However, due to certain progressiveness compared to other FTAs in terms of its provisions on non-tariff measures, such as rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) regulations, etc., RCEP has the potential to benefit a broader range of countries and products, making market access more convenient and inclusive for the seafood industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Trade Governance and Policy and Sustainable Agricultural Economics)

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17 pages, 10923 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Dynamic Evolutionary Analysis of the Vulnerability of Global Food Trade Networks

by Hao Xu, Niu Niu, Dongmei Li and Chengjie Wang

Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 3998; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16103998 - 10 May 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2022

Abstract

The global food trade network (FTN) is a critical infrastructure for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The FTN’s vulnerability to geopolitical conflicts, public health crises, and climate change events directly impacts food security and the ability to meet the SDGs. This study aims to analyze the dynamic evolution of the vulnerability of FTN, focusing on the period from 2000 to 2022, to aim for strategies for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the global food system. Based on complex network analysis, we examine the structural characteristics and evolution of FTN for four major crops: soybeans, wheat, rice, and maize. We identify a trend towards increased network density and regionalization, with a decline in average shortest path length (ASPL) and an increase in the average clustering coefficient (ACC). These changes indicate a shift towards a more interconnected and resilient FTN in response to various shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine conflict. The findings suggest that the global FTN has adapted to increase resilience, which is essential for achieving the SDGs related to food security and sustainable development. The study’s insights can guide policy interventions to further strengthen the network against future shocks and promote global food security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Trade Governance and Policy and Sustainable Agricultural Economics)

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18 pages, 2910 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Drivers of Sustained Agricultural Economic Development in China: Agricultural Productivity and Poverty Reduction Efficiency

by Jianlin Wang, Junbo Tong and Zhong Fang

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 2073; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052073 - 1 Mar 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1457

Abstract

Poverty eradication is a crucial element of SDG 1. Whether the financial resources invested by the Government provide a critical impetus for deeply impoverished rural areas needs to be studied by quantitative analysis. Therefore, this study presents a theoretical analytical framework for agricultural production–government poverty reduction. It divides the poverty reduction process into two stages, agricultural production and poverty reduction, from the perspective of sustainable agricultural development. The comprehensive measurement and spatio-temporal evolution analysis of China’s agricultural production and poverty reduction efficiency are conducted using a novel dynamic two-stage DEA model, which incorporates non-expected factors. The study found that (1) China’s agricultural production and poverty reduction efficiency exhibit overall poor performance, characterized by two poles of differentiation. (2) The agricultural production efficiency score is higher in the northern region than in the southern region, while the poverty reduction efficiency score is higher in the eastern region compared to the western region. (3) The coupling and coordination between China’s production efficiency and poverty reduction efficiency are inadequate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Trade Governance and Policy and Sustainable Agricultural Economics)

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14 pages, 781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Japan’s Discharge of Nuclear-Contaminated Water on Aquaculture Production, Trade, and Food Security in China and Japan

by Xiao Liang, Shilong Yang, Zhichao Lou and Abdelrahman Ali

Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 1285; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031285 - 2 Feb 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6746

Abstract

The aquaculture and fisheries sectors play critical roles in promoting a global nutritious and climate-friendly food system. The Japanese government started implementing the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water (NCW) into the Pacific Ocean in August 2023, which was followed by stopping the import of seafood from Japan to ensure the safety of imported food for Chinese citizens. The discharge of NCW into the ocean by Japan will directly harm the marine ecological environment and the global ecosystem due to the importance of China as the largest producer, processor, and exporter of aquatic products (APs). This paper employs the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model to simulate the future impacts of discharging the NCW under three different scenarios. The results showed that discharging NCW will lead to a global decline in AP production and also has negative repercussions on the macroeconomic landscape. Japan will face the most significant negative impact on its national macroeconomy, e.g., Japan’s GDP, total imports, total exports, household income, and social welfare will decrease by 2.18%, 3.84%, 8.30%, 2.61%, and $130.07 billion; similarly, for China, the decrease will be 0.03%, 1.21%, 0.08%, and $728.15 billion, respectively. If China’s AP consumption decreases by 10% and 20%, it will result in protein deficits of 1.536 million tons and 3.132 million tons, respectively. Japan’s deficit will reach 138,000 tons and 276,000 tons. This necessitates supplementation via the consumption of other protein-rich foods, posing a significant threat to the nutritional security of food in both China and Japan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Trade Governance and Policy and Sustainable Agricultural Economics)

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20 pages, 560 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Status of Sino–Russian Trade in Agricultural Products: Dual Consideration Based on Characteristics and Growth

by Jing Fu and Guangji Tong

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020822 - 18 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3433

Abstract

The security of agricultural product supply is crucial for social development. For populous and resource-rich countries like China and Russia, strengthening their bilateral trade in agricultural products is essential to ensure stability and security in the global food market. However, current research on their agricultural product trade lacks sufficient detail. This article aims to analyze the overall trend of agricultural product trading between China and Russia based on trade data from 2007 to 2021. Different trade indexes will be used to examine the four aspects of the agricultural product trade characteristics of both countries. The constant market share model will be employed to analyze the growth factors of agricultural product trade between the two nations, providing insights into the driving force behind changes in agricultural exports. The findings of this study demonstrate that bilateral agricultural trade between China and Russia shows complementarity and high trade intensity. Intra-industry trade represents the primary form of agricultural product exchange, while inter-industry trade serves as a supplemental form of trade. In terms of trade growth impact, the bilateral agricultural trade between China and Russia is primarily influenced by the effect of product structure, followed by competitiveness. Therefore, in the face of uncertain situations, such as counter-globalization and localized trade frictions, specific recommendations will be provided to optimize the trade structure of agricultural products between the two nations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Trade Governance and Policy and Sustainable Agricultural Economics)

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13 pages, 618 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Consumption and Its Impact on Economic Growth

by Hosein Mohammadi, Sayed Saghaian and Bahareh Zandi Dareh Gharibi

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3822; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043822 - 20 Feb 2023

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6269

Abstract

Energy is an important factor in boosting and sustaining the economic growth level of a country. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between energy consumption and the economic growth of selected developed and developing countries from 1993–2019. For this purpose, we used the Pedroni co-integration method to determine the long-term relationship between economic growth and energy consumption. To estimate the long-term parameters, the panel fully modified OLS method and the Dumitrescu and Hurlin heterogeneous panel causality estimation technique were used, and the causality direction between variables was considered. The results showed that energy consumption had a positive and significant effect on the economic growth of both groups of countries. The causality analysis revealed the existence of a protection effect between renewable energy consumption and economic growth in developed countries. Hence, policies that lead to an increase in independent growth in these countries can effectively impact their growth. On the other hand, the existence of the feedback effect in developing countries shows that storage policies and reduced energy consumption may pose a threat to economic growth in these countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Trade Governance and Policy and Sustainable Agricultural Economics)

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21 pages, 2844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Global Drivers of Sustained Economic Development: The Role of Trade Openness, Financial Development, and FDI

by Riza Radmehr, Ernest Baba Ali, Samira Shayanmehr, Sayed Saghaian, Elham Darbandi, Ebenezer Agbozo and Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14023; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114023 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4447

Abstract

Achieving economic development is one of the most important economic goals of every country. Identifying the determinants of economic growth, is a useful tool for adopting appropriate economic policies. This study, therefore, empirically examines the impact of trade openness, foreign direct investment, and financial development on economic growth, across 62 countries over the period 1995–2016. These countries are divided into two groups: low-income and high-income countries. We employ the pooled mean group (PMG), mean group (MG), and dynamic fixed effect (DFE) estimation techniques on the cross-country panel data. The findings show a positive long run association between trade openness, foreign direct investment (FDI), financial development, labor, government expenditure, and economic growth in low-income countries, with a positive and negative short run effect from capital and government expenditures, respectively. For high-income countries, a positive long run association between trade openness, FDI, capital, and economic growth exist. The short run estimates indicate a positive effect on trade openness and capital as well as a negative effect on government expenditure. Our study shows that the adoption of policies that improves access to skilled labor and international trade, affect the attainment of a sustainable economic development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Trade Governance and Policy and Sustainable Agricultural Economics)

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11 pages, 272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Agricultural Product Exports on Environmental Quality

by Sayed Saghaian, Hosein Mohammadi and Morteza Mohammadi

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13857; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113857 - 25 Oct 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4904

Abstract

Concerns about the environmental degradation of agricultural activities have increased with trade openness and globalization. In this study, the effects of agricultural product exports on environmental quality are investigated using panel data and instrumental variable regression models for 23 developed and 43 developing countries during 2002–2020. The results indicate that the expansion of agricultural product exports from developing countries has a detrimental effect on the environmental quality of these countries. Total agricultural exports increase pollution due to greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries, while they decrease the N₂O emissions in developed countries. Moreover, raw agricultural exports have a positive and significant effect on agricultural pollution emissions in developing countries, while they have a negative and significant effect on N₂O emissions in developed countries. In many developing countries, export development is an important policy objective, and agricultural exports are among the most important export sectors. Hence, policymakers need to consider the effects of agricultural product exports on the environment and increase farmers’ awareness about the environmental consequences of agricultural activities. A better understanding of the environmental impacts of agricultural exports from developing countries is highly recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Trade Governance and Policy and Sustainable Agricultural Economics)

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