Intermediaries in International Trade: Direct versus indirect modes of export

Andrew B. Bernard (), Marco Grazzi () and Chiara Tomasi ()

No 8766, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This paper examines the factors that give rise to intermediaries in exporting and explores the implications for trade volumes. Export intermediaries such as wholesalers serve different markets and export different products than manufacturing exporters. In particular, high market-specific fixed costs of exporting, the (lack of) quality of the general contracting environment and product-specific factors play important roles in explaining the existence of export intermediaries. These underlying differences between direct and intermediary exporters have important consequences for trade flows. The ability of export intermediaries to overcome country and product fixed costs means that they can more easily respond along the extensive margin to external shocks. Intermediaries and direct exporters respond differently to exchange rate fluctuations both in terms of the total value of shipments and the number of products exported as well as in terms of prices and quantities. Aggregate exports to destinations with high shares of indirect exports are much less responsive to changes in the real exchange rate than are exports to countries served primarily by direct exporters.

Keywords: exchange rates; export entry costs; heterogeneous firms; intermediation; international trade; product adding and dropping; wholesalers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D22 F12 F14 L22 L23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-int
Date: 2012-01
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Related works:
Working Paper: Intermediaries in International Trade: Direct Versus Indirect Modes of Export (2012)
Working Paper: Intermediaries in International Trade: Direct versus indirect modes of export (2011)
Working Paper: Intermediaries in international trade: Direct versus indirect modes of export (2010)
Working Paper: Intermediaries in International Trade: direct versus indirect modes of export (2010)
Working Paper: Intermediaries in International Trade: direct versus indirect modes of export (2010)
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