Value chain upgrading and seafood exports: lessons from developing countries

The expansion of global seafood value chains in recent decades has benefited developing countries, which are key producers and exporters. However, developing countries still need to upgrade themselves in many relevant areas to meet requirements such as product and labor standards proposed by global buyers. Upgrading is recognized as a pathway for developing countries to capture more benefits or maintain their position within those chains. Determining which types of upgrades are suitable for each country is challenging. This research uses the gravity model to examine the impacts of value chain upgrading on seafood exports from developing countries. The key findings suggest that product upgrading positively affects traded seafood, while the impacts of process and functional upgrading on the seafood exports of the selected countries can be positive and negative. In addition, social improvements are more important for seafood exports to developed countries.