THE MEDITERRANEAN'S GOLD: WHICH COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS FOR THE THUNNUS THYNNUS IN ITALY?

By taking into consideration the relevant role, in the international trade of Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus), played by Italy, aim of this work is assess the change in the Italian competitive advantage in the international market over the last decade (2008/2017), as a consequence of the Total Allowable Catch system together with size limits set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Investigating the main changes occurred in the Italian international trade balance, by focusing the attention on the relations with the main commercial partners operating in this industry, is of relevant importance to make available updated data to policy makers, managers and scholars in order to reflect on alternative solutions to increase profits in the international trade. By applying the Relative Trade Advantage Index, results show that Italy in the last decade, although maintained an overall profitable position in the international market, has been affected by drastic changes at system level, mainly caused by the ICCAT regulations aimed at reducing the Thunnus thynnus stock overfishing. Measures that led the country to modify commercial partners relations and also internal production business patterns, such as a fragmentation of the Thunnus thynnus supply chain related to the export line. Results suggest to both policy makers and stakeholders to activate alternative solutions to improve the trade volume (in money terms) of this sector, in so doing better exploiting the great potential of product, respecting at the same time the Bluefin Tuna sustainability programs

Gli scambi marittimi dei prodotti agroalimentari nel Bacino del Mediterraneo: il ruolo della Sicilia

This work shows the results of a survey on trade flows to agri-food products between Sicily and the non-EU countries of the Union for the Mediterranean, through maritime transport. The aim of the work is to outline the role that Sicily plays in respect of trade in agricultural products through the maritime mode considering its strategic location in the Mediterranean basin. Political reference scenario is that of the Union for the Mediterranean and EU Mediterranean Transport Policy (motorways of the sea). This work contains an analysis of the evolution of maritime trade in agri-food of Sicily, in the main ports of departure and arrival, with non-EU countries of the Union for the Mediterranean, estimated on the basis of data provided specifically by the Customs Agency of the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance. The relative geographical orientation index has allowed to estimate the geographic specialization of the Sicily, compared to Italy, in the maritime trade of agri-food products with non-EU Countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The results highlight how Sicily, thanks to its particular geographical position is one of the most specialized partner in the maritime trade with the other Mediterranean countries. These trades are gradually increased over the last decade, both in terms of absolute value and in relative terms, concerning the traffic of agri-food products. It is evident, therefore, as the creation of motorways of the sea linking Sicily with the coastal countries of the South and East of the Mediterranean could constitute a further factor of economic integration