A Revealed Comparative Analysis of Buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.) as an Economic and Trade Prospect: Assessing the Potential of a Sustainable Production Input

Abstract

This study investigates role of buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.) in the context of the European Green Deal, focusing on its potential as an eco-friendly input for natural dyeing. It examines competitiveness of buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.) exports, using the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) index to evaluate trade performance. The analysis covers export data from 2003 to 2022 for top 20 exporting countries, including EU member states, to understand trends and shifts in global competitiveness. The research highlights an eco-friendly alternative that can contribute to regional development and environmental sustainability. The findings underscore role of natural resources in reducing environmental impacts and support the broader objective of transitioning to greener production practices. The scope includes a comprehensive analysis of export data, competitiveness metrics, and the impact of sustainable input usage on the global standing of buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.) exporters. The analysis from 2003 to 2022 shows that Indonesia has significantly increased its buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.) exports, becoming leading exporter, while China has lost its competitive advantage and fallen to second place. Peru and Nepal have made significant leaps in the rankings, while the performance of the USA and Germany has noticeably weakened. Turkey is noted for gaining significant competitive advantage in recent years.

Keywords

• Buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.)
• sustainability
• sustainable input
• competitiveness
• international economics
• international trade