Harmonizing foreign trade and domestic production policies in global agricultural supply chains

Research Seminar Series 2024/2025

Abstract

Host governments encounter significant challenges in optimising their agricultural domestic support schemes and foreign trade policies to effectively meet rising consumer demand. This research analyses the alignment of production support and trade policies to minimize market distortions and stabilize supply chains. We propose a framework addressing trade policy uncertainty, aiming to reduce uncertainty for exporting countries and importers, fostering a resilient and balanced global agricultural market. 

Inspired by real-world practices and empirical evidence from Indian domestic and foreign agricultural policymaking, this study develops a game-theoretical optimisation model to determine optimal tariff rates for governments under various trade policy scenarios. Strategic interactions among importers are modelled using a non-cooperative game-theoretical framework, considering the influence of domestic support policies, tariff mechanisms, and domestic production levels on importers' decisions. 

This ongoing research aims to analyse production and import volumes across various policy scenarios, integrating both domestic and foreign trade policies. It seeks optimal policy combinations to enhance farmer welfare, minimize market distortions, and stabilize supply chains. 

Biography 

Dr Sean Arisian is the discipline lead for Sustainable Operations Management and the founding coordinator of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management programs at La Trobe University. He has a keen interest in modeling and solving practical and interdisciplinary problems, with research focusing on sustainability, security, and resilience in global supply chains and international trade.

A lunch buffet and refreshments will be provided before the seminar from 12.30.

PhD students and colleagues beyond BBS are welcomed