Title: The dynamics of Italian competitive positioning in the Mediterranean Bluefin tuna industry

Authors: Antonino Galati; Dario Siggia; Marcella Giacomarra; Antonio Tulone; Caterina Patrizia Di Franco; Maria Crescimanno

Addresses: Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, Palermo, 90128, Italy ' Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, Palermo, 90128, Italy ' Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, Palermo, 90128, Italy ' Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, Palermo, 90128, Italy ' Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, Palermo, 90128, Italy ' Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, Palermo, 90128, Italy

Abstract: The bluefin tuna or Thunnus thynnus is one of the widely recognised fish species since ancient times. Italy is the most important players in the international arena, however, the introduction of a system of total allowable catches and other measures established by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, has deeply changed the competitive positioning of Italy. The aim of this study is to perform an analysis of the comparative advantage of Italy by using the relative trade advantage index. Findings reveal that Italy has gained a competitive advantage in the Maltese market and has suffered a loss of the historical competitive advantage in the Japanese one. Results suggest to policymakers, managers, and stakeholders should put in place strategies addressed to retain a major part of the added value of the bluefin tuna, without setting aside all the aspect related to the sustainability of the fishing catch.

Keywords: international trade; comparative advantage; relative trade advantage index; ICCAT; International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas; sustainable capture; Thunnus thynnus; total allowable catches; Italy; export market share; import market share; Asian markets.

DOI: 10.1504/JGBA.2020.110614

Journal for Global Business Advancement, 2020 Vol.13 No.2, pp.228 - 248

Received: 12 May 2020
Accepted: 13 May 2020
Published online: 26 Oct 2020 *

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