The Effect of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures on Algerian Dates Exports

Abstract

This article aims to study the impact of sanitary and phytosanitary measures on Algerian dates exports during the period 2013-2022 by using the gravity model of trade. We find that the sanitary and phytosanitary measures applied by the importing countries have a positive impact on Algerian dates exports, and the geographical and cultural factors, represented by distance from the importing countries, common borders, and common official language, have a positive impact on Algerian dates exports, while historical factors such as the colonial relationship had a negative impact. The results show that there is a positive impact of sanitary and phytosanitary measures on Algerian dates exports to developed countries, but without statistical significance, while their impact was positive and statistically significant on Algerian dates exports to developing countries. These results indicate that Algerian dates exports meet the safety conditions required by developed or developing countries, which has contributed to increasing dates exports to them. Then, these measures do not constitute an obstacle to the entry of Algerian dates exports to global markets, but rather are a motivating factor for Algerian exporters to increase the exports of dates in light of their ability to comply with the safety requirements of importing countries.