Regional trade agreements and agricultural trade: An analysis of Zimbabwe’s agricultural trade flows

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to assess the impact of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Southern African Development Community Free Trade Area (SADC-FTA) on Zimbabwe’s agricultural trade flows. Results highlight that Zimbabwe’s membership in EPA initiated in 2012, enhanced the country’s agricultural trade flows by 307.96%. Membership in SADC-FTA initiated in 2008 has enhanced the country’s agricultural trade flows by 437.09%. Other independent variables including exchange rates and GDP negatively impacted the country’s agricultural trade flows. From the empirical findings, it is critical for the government to conduct impact assessments.

Keywords

• agricultural trade flows
• regional trade agreements
• fixed effects
• Zimbabwe
• EPA