International Efficiency Comparisons in Agriculture

Abstract

In this paper, international efficiency comparisons are made in agriculture using the technique of non-parametric production analysis. Data are drawn from the Global Trade Analysis Project database and relate to eight industries in 30 regions. World efficiency frontiers are constructed under various assumptions about returns to scale. A greater proportion of industries are on the efficiency frontier in OECD regions than in no-OECD regions. However, the adverse efficiency effects of protectionist policies in some OECD regions also appear to be captured.