Trade in CRISPR/Gene-Edited Wheat: A Partial Equilibrium Analysis
Abstract
Previous studies have analyzed how the adoption of genetically engineered or modified technologies have affected agricultural crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, and barley without focusing on wheat. Also, given the negative impact of drought on wheat production, no studies have focused on the implications of drought tolerant (HB4) and CRISPR/gene-editing on wheat trade. To address these issues, this study employed the partial equilibrium analysis and analyzed the implications of drought tolerant (HB4) and CRISPR/gene-editing technology adoption on wheat trade under various scenarios. The study found that when Argentina, Australia, United States, Canada, and Russia adopt gene-editing wheat, all consuming countries experience a welfare gain except Japan, Korea, Belgium, Netherland, and Italy. More so, Argentina, Mexico, Nigeria, Brazil, Egypt, and Venezuela continue to consume CRISPR wheat in all scenarios. Also, all producing countries experience a gain in producer welfare.