Études Caribéennes (Aug 2020)
La filière maïs en Haïti dans une analyse de compétitivité par rapport au maïs moulu importé : une approche plurielle avec enjeux de croissance de consommation et production du maïs local
Abstract
Several agricultural markets have been liberalized in Haiti after 1986 including the milled corn one selling a product which is important for local consumption. This trade liberalization trend shed light on the existence of two different products (local and imported) which seem to be in demand-based competition in the market places. The consumer’s demand is, among other factors, based on products’ prices and certain physical attributes and both of these represent elements of demand-based competitiveness. Knowing that a lack of competitiveness for a local product will negatively impact on its demand and, consequently, may affect national production, we analyze in a certain number of Haitian market places the demand-based competitiveness of the Haitian milled corn compared to two brands of imported milled corn (Gourmet from the United States at the time of the survey and Gradoro from Dominican Republic). This competitiveness has been analyzed twofold: from the retail price standpoint and from the quality standpoint (quality as perceived by the consumers). The results of the study have shown that the Haitian milled corn is more competitive than the two imported brands Gourmet and Gradoro, as far as price is concerned. However, in terms of quality appreciation by consumers, it is more competitive than Gourmet in all the market places located at most 120 km from the corn production center (Kans, in South-West of the country) but not in those located at most 40 km from the importation center which is the city of Port-au-Prince. There is no evidence that the Haitian milled corn is more appreciated than the imported Dominican brand Gradoro. In addition, the Haitian milled corn and the two imported brands are not substitutes in all the markets considered in this study.
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