Liberalization and tariff dismantling: Effects on the competitiveness of mussel cultivation industry in Spain

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact that the free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Chile and its resulting dismantling of tariffs has had on the mussel cultivation industry, particularly in Galicia. Specifically, the authors examine how trade liberalisation has affected the mussel farming industry.

The authors aim to observe the general panorama of both the evolution of production, distinguishing between fresh and industrial usage, and the evolution of prices at source depending on destination (fresh or industrial in the period 2003-2012). In order to analyse the relationships between different agents of the value chain, Porter’s model has been used as a reference.

There is a loss of competitiveness in the mussel farming-production sector following the liberalisation agreement of 2006 and huge bargaining power of the processing sector vs the production sector.

There is an opportunity to implement traceability programmes and develop a more differentiated product. In addition, it is profitable to promote Galician mussels through generic advertising and promoting exports.

There is a lack of empirical studies about the impact that the new free trade agreement between the EU and Chile has had on the Spanish mussel industry. Particularly, the study analyses economic repercussions, managerial implications and new challenges stemming from the new context of trade liberalisation.