Why do within firm-product export prices differ across markets?

Arbeitspapier

In this paper we analyze the relationship between gravity variables and f.o.b. export unit values using Hungarian firm-product-destination data. By taking firm-product level selection into account we show that export unit values increase with distance even for particular firm-product level selection and constant markups. The differences are important quantitatively; price differences in Hungarian exports between Germany and the US are about 30%. We also show that unit values are positively related to GDP/capita and that there is a weak negative relationship between unit values and market size. We propose two possible explanations: first, firms may export different quality versions of the same product to different markets. Secondly, directly exporting firms may capture part of the markups on transport cots in their f.o.b. prices.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Kiel Working Paper ; No. 1596

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Market Structure, Pricing, and Design: General ; Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
• Subject: Export ; price ; selection ; Hungary

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Görg, Holger ; Halpern, László ; Muraközy, Balázs
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW)
• (where): Kiel
• (when): 2010

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/30051
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET