Export Products Research Articles

Nutrition in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) crops: What determining factors should be considered?

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important commercial crop and agricultural commodity worldwide; for some Latin American countries, it is an essential part of export products. In Colombia, this crop has promising conditions to extend and strengthen this agriculture sector. However, their productivity is low under current agricultural practices, mainly due to insufficient modernization and inadequate or no management of their nutritional schemes. This publication reviewed the different findings currently in the scientific literature regarding the factors that determine the nutritional status of cacao plants, such as the function and distribution of minerals, nutritional efficiency, soil properties, establishment systems, organic and organic and inorganic sources examined. Additionally, it highlighted the importance of using and expanding diagnostic tools to determine nutritional needs and the design of effective programs according to the particular conditions of each region and the genotypes planted. This conceptual journey highlights the existing theoretical and experimental gap in the identification of the factors that determine the nutritional status of the plantations and their effect on the implementation of the fertilization programs used today. Information together provides elements to adequately address this agronomic practice and the economic impact on farmers and the cacao production chain.

The main trends in the development of egg poultry farming in Ukraine

Poultry breeding in the egg sector belongs to the strategically important areas of livestock production in Ukraine and many countries worldwide. In addition, it affects the country's food security by filling the market with valuable food products. Eggs are one of the leading export products of livestock production in Ukraine. However, during the studied period, there was a decline in the production and economic potential of poultry farming in the egg sector, negatively affecting export opportunities. The article presents the results of a study of the main trends in the development of egg production in Ukraine. An economic analysis of the dynamics of egg production in enterprises and households in the regions of Ukraine was carried out. The importance of the influence and the specific weight in forming the offer of eggs on the regional markets were determined. The leading indicators of the balance of eggs in Ukraine were studied. An analysis of the fund of egg consumption by regions of Ukraine was carried out. The promising central areas for developing poultry farming in the egg direction are substantiated, considering the difference between the volume of egg production and the consumption fund in Ukraine. The main negative factors of the decline in the volume of egg production in agricultural enterprises and households have been established. The structure of egg production by regions of Ukraine was determined. The development of small organizational forms of business in poultry farming, in particular, farms based on households and personal peasant farms to minimize risks, reduce logistics costs, develop the clean competition, and improve the balance between supply and demand in regional markets, is substantiated. According to the results of the study, it was established that the production of eggs in Ukraine for 2010–2021 decreased by 17%. The most significant decline occurred in 2021 - by 13% compared to the previous year, due to the increase in costs for feed, energy sources, and price disparity, which caused a decrease in production profitability and investment interest among many industrial producers. In 2022, the drop in egg production was exacerbated by active hostilities that covered the eastern, most of the southern and northern regions of Ukraine, which led to the loss of production capacity, the blockade of logistics flows, and the reduction of the productive poultry population in many local enterprises. The determined set of factors caused a sharp increase in egg prices in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2022, which will affect the further decrease of the consumption fund.

ВИМІРЮВАННЯ УЧАСТІ КРАЇН У ГЛОБАЛЬНИХ ЛАНЦЮГАХ СТВОРЕННЯ ВАРТОСТІ

The article is devoted to the generalization and systematization of the main theoretical approaches and practical methods of measuring the participation of countries or industries in global value chains (GVC). The work provides the definition and main content of global value chains. It has been noted that the growing role of global value chains and their importance not only changes the approach to the ways of generating income and ensuring economic growth, but also gives an awareness that the most important driver of economic growth of an industry or country is direct participation in global value chains. Significant arguments have been presented in favor of the participation of countries in global value chains. Summarizing the existing methods of calculating the degree of a country’s participation in global value chains, the authors have singled out four index based methods: Index of Vertical Specialization, Export complexity index, GVC participation index and GVC position index. Index of Vertical Specialization assumes using data on the country’s expenditure-output for the distribution of the value of imported foreign goods contained in export products of a certain industry in this country, on the total export value of the industry. Export complexity index based on export volume and income of a country that participates in global value chains, as well as the export of goods of a specific country and the industry index of goods to measure the national product index. GVC participation index is measured in terms of the value of goods and services added as a result of trade. GVC position index shows the “status” of a certain industry in a country: the higher the value, the higher the “status” of a certain industry in the country’s global value chain, and vice versa. The main formulas for calculating indices, advantages and disadvantages of their use have been presented. Thus, it has been proven that the GVC participation index, which is based on the Index of Vertical Specialization, reflects the dynamics of the integration of countries in the GVC and allows for inter-country and inter-industry comparative analysis, but does not provide an opportunity to assess the benefits received from participation in the GVC. The use of the GVC Status Index allows to solve this task both at the country and at the sectoral level. It has been proposed to use GVC participation index and GVC position index as a basis for analyzing Ukraine’s participation in global value chains. This will allow not only to reveal the degree of Ukraine’s participation in the modern international division of labor but also, based on the conclusions of such an analysis, to develop recommendations for improving the place of Ukraine in the GVC and change the position of Ukraine from a raw material supplier country to a raw material processing country.

The Role of Modern Technologies in Dairy Farm Development and Economic Benefits

The demand for milk and milk products in Georgia is increasing every year. Accordingly, local production and imports are increasing. According to the 2021 data of the National Statistics Office of Georgia, the coefficient of self-sufficiency in the last 4 years is at the same denominator - 81%. In 2021, compared to the previous year, the number of imported products decreased, domestic production increased, but despite this, the number of exported products almost halved. [1] Unlike fresh milk, milk powder is not produced in Georgia at all, and the amount of imported product is quite large, due to the fact that the necessary amount of fresh milk is not obtained in the country. For example, according to the data of 2019, the total value of imported milk powder in Georgia amounted to 17.7 million US dollars. The average milk yield (liters per year) of cows and buffalos is low in Georgia compared to other countries. According to the data of 2021, the figure was 1589 liters, while in the same year the figure in Israel was 12025 liters. [2] One of the secrets of Israel's success is technological innovation. From the above-mentioned facts, it can be seen that the field of production of milk and milk products in Georgia needs to be developed. At the first stage, it is important to increase the amount of product to the level that the self-sufficiency ratio exceeds 81% and approaches the maximum. This will reduce the amount paid in imported products. The second stage will be to increase the production of export products. This article discusses the new technologies that are used to create Smart dairy farming (SDF) - a concept that can meet the increased demand for quality dairy products. In this type of farms, the Internet of Things (IOT - a network of physical objects, where things are connected to each other with sensors, software and other technologies in order to connect various devices and systems and exchange data with the help of the Internet) and data-oriented techniques are used. These technologies create a great opportunity for smart dairy farms to establish precisely and correctly selected care principles, improve the physical condition of the animal and ultimately increase the amount of milk obtained. Keywords: Smart dairy farming, IOT, milk products.

Towards a more sustainable feed for New Zealand farmed abalone: Inclusion of insect meal and grape pomace as alternative ingredients

Abalone, locally called pāua, is a valuable export product in New Zealand, contributing between NZD $50-60 million annually towards the country’s export economy [1]. Generally, one of the most significant bottlenecks of land-based abalone aquaculture is the high cost of the feed, which can be up to 50% of the production cost [2]. The high price has been attributed to fish meal, which is a key ingredient used in aquaculture feeds due to its excellent amino acid profile and palatability. However, fish meal use has been questioned due to the utilisation of wild fish to feed farmed fish and the exacerbation of overfishing marine resources [3]. Alternative ingredients, such as insects and winery waste products, are potential candidates as protein replacements due to their suitable nutritional profile and more sustainable production. This study aims to 1) develop and characterise alternative formulated feed for pāua (Haliotis iris) using insect meal and grape pomace and 2) evaluate the nutritional and growth alterations in juvenile pāua receiving different formulated feeds for 6 months. Proximate analysis is used to identify nutritional variations in body and faecal matter, and liquid/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/GC–MS) analyses are utilised to characterise amino acid and fatty acid profiles in tissue samples. Results show a high animal survival rate of 95% and increased seawater stability of experimental diets compared to a commercial feed. Nutritional analyses show no significant variations in animal tissues in terms of protein proportions and amino acid profiles, but differences were found in the lipid proportions and fatty acid profiles. This research will present the evidence to support the potential use of insect meal and grape marc as fishmeal replacements in abalone feeds, leading to a more sustainable aquaculture.

THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO DETERMINING THE ESSENCE OF THE CONCEPT OF "EXPORT AND LOGISTICS POTENTIAL"

The work is devoted to topical issues of theoretical research of scientific approaches to interpreting the concepts of "export potential" and "logistics potential". The purpose of the article is the research and systematization of theoretical approaches to the content of the above concepts, as well as the scientific substantiation of the essence of the "export-logistics potential" category. The research uses general scientific and unique methods: inductive and deductive - to justify approaches to determining the essence of export and logistics potential concepts; comparative - to outline the typical characteristics of the studied images within the framework of resource and system approaches; graphic - for a visual representation of the "export and logistics potential" definition; abstract and logical - for generalization and formation of conclusions. The author's interpretation of the essence of "export and logistics potential" is proposed, under which it is appropriate to understand the component of the production and economic potential of the state, which affects the formation of the national economy structure, determining its profile and degree of involvement in the system of foreign economic relations and global logistics networks. It has been studied that the export-logistics potential ensures efficient trade, which meets international standards and minimizes emissions into the environment. It has been established that the formation of the export-logistics potential is a complex, dynamic process aimed at interacting with the external environment and ensuring high quality of export products selling. It was established that the export-logistics potential provides efficient export goods traffic, associated with minimal expenditure of time and financial resources, as well as analytical transport support that meets international standards and minimizes harmful environmental emissions. It is substantiated that the export-logistics potential is characterized by the presence of hierarchical levels: micro- (enterprises), meso- (region), macro- (state), and mega-levels (international level).

Biocontrol of plant-parasitic nematodes by soil in soybean cultivation

Soybean is a commodity widely cultivated in Brazil and represents one of the main export products. Several biotic and abiotic factors have limited the productivity growth of this oilseed, one of them are the nematodes associated with the monoculture. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different bioagents in control of plant-parasitic nematodes in soybean, via soil. The experiment was carried in Gurupi-TO in a randomized complete block design, with four repetitions and 14 treatments, including the witness. The treatments consisted of biocontrol agents: Paecilomyces sp., Trichoderma asperirellum, Bacillus subtilis and Pochonia sp., evaluated singly and in combinations. The treatments with Paecilomyces sp. + Bacillus subtilis and the combination of all the microorganisms results in higher averages for most traits when compared to the control treatment. The treatments Paecilomyces spp. + Bacillus subtilis and Paecilomyces sp. + Trichoderma asperellum + Bacillus subtilis + Pochonia sp., were also the most efficient in reduction of the population of nematodes evaluated. For this reason, the combination of biological control agents can reduce the population of phytonematodes.

The Impact of Business Environment on the Quality of Export Products

The quality of export products directly affects the use value and price of commodities, and it is an important factor that determines the use efficiency of commodities and affects the market price of commodities. In the form of unprecedented fierce competition in the current international market, many countries and regions have taken improving the quality of commodities and striving to win by quality as an important part of non-price competition, which is one of the important means to strengthen foreign competition. Different business environments in different regions will lead to problems in the quality of export products. Based on this, by reviewing relevant literature, this paper focuses on analyzing the impact of regional business environment, environmental regulation, trade liberalization and emerging technologies such as digitalization on the quality of export products, and explains the impact mechanism of different business environments on the quality of export products. Finally, based on the conclusions obtained, this paper discusses how the government should create a business environment to improve the quality of export products.

DESIGN OF AUTOCLAVE FOR FRESH SHRIMP STERILIZATON PROCESS USING FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Chloramphenicol is one of antibiotic compound which is an additional ingredient that is forbidden to be used in food products, especially in fresh shrimp product export. To avoid the used of preservative, then required sterilization process in a physical way which is vaporization using a high-pressure supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2). One of sterilization process for supercritical carbon dioxide is using autoclave media. Autoclave is a closed heating device used to sterilize or reducing a substance or object that is disserve by using high temperature and high pressure steam. In designing and constructing autoclave, the first step to be done is to define the function and the operation capacity. The function and capacity will determine the initial dimension of autoclave as well its working pressure and temperature. In this study, the autoclave was designed with quantitative methods and modeling using software Autodesk inventor 2016 based on finite element method. The given load is in the form of supercritical carbon dioxide pressure of 73.83bar and temperature of 31.30C. Based on the result of design, quantitative methods gives the safe result and optimized thickness needed autoclave usage.

A Comparison between Russia-Qing Trade and Anglo-Chinese Trade in 1802–1860

During the first half of the nineteenth century, tea became an essential commodity in the Kyakhta trade, accounting for over 90 % of total imports. Russia increased tea imports to address its growing demand for tea. The country handled the increasing tea imports by simultaneously increasing the exports of fur, wool, and cotton. British trade with China in Guangzhou was for smuggled opium in exchange for tea. When the Qing dynasty attempted to eradicate opium trade, the UK waged two wars and legalised the opium trade. The UK’s illegal opium trade and military provocations had a significant impact on China’s politics, economy, and society, as well as a decisive impact on the decline of the Kyakhta trade. Opium, which was banned, became a monopoly product for the British, and Russia’s export products — except for silver — could not compete with opium. The UK’s illegal sale of opium increased China’s opium consumption. Consequently, this reduced the purchasing power of the Chinese, worsening the sales conditions of Russian export products. In the end, the opium trade led to a shortage of silver and an increase in the value of silver coins in China. Chinese merchants preferred silver or silver coins to other products when trading with Russia. As a result, the Russian government approved the exchange of silver, effectively ending barter trade throughout Kyakhta.

Export product quality and markup of firms: evidence from China

ABSTRACT In this study, we analyse how export product quality affects the markup of firms. First, on the basis of the heterogeneous firm trade model, we clarify the internal mechanism of the effect of export product quality on the markup of firms through the channels of firm marginal production cost and product pricing. Second, using the micro data of Chinese firms from 2000 to 2007 and by estimating firm-level markup and export product quality, we construct a dynamic panel model to empirically analyze the impact of export product quality on the markup of the Chinese firms and mechanism of the impact. Results of the empirical analysis support the prediction of the theoretical model, that is, improvement of export product quality will positively affect the markup of firms by increasing their marginal cost of production and product pricing. From the product quality perspective, we provide new insights for understanding the impact of the export market on the markup of firms.

Relief of Liability for Damages and Strengthening of Korea’s Maritime Trade Through MRA Application of International Classification Association

This study examines the entire process from design, which is the initial stage of construction of ships and oceans, which are responsible for the largest amount of logistics and transportation among types of trade, to final approval, and delivery of maritime trade through final export in various stages of maritime transportation. The purpose of a International Classification Society is to provide classification and statutory services and assistance tothe maritime industry and regulatory bodies as regards maritime safety and pollution prevention, based on the accumulation of maritime knowledge and technology. It is an attestation only that the vessel is in compliance with the Rules that have been developed and published by the Society issuing the classification certificates. In this research, based on the IACS process, which has such ambiguous grounds and standards, the contractual liability for damages was resolved, and Korea’s maritime trade growth and international exports were revitalized by applying the International Classification Association MRA. The contents are summarized as follows. irst, MRA is applied to 1st party Inspection and Declaration, 2nd party Inspection and Testind, and 3rd party Qualification and Certification for Manufacturing Procedure and Process. By applying the MRA (International Mutual Recognition Agreement) process based on the International Classification Society standards and standards to these three types of international classification approval certification and manufacturer certification, the direct cost reduction and It is clear that it will clearly present the s tandards f or e xport approval a nd c ertification t hrough a bsolute t im e reduction, a nd w ill make a great contribution to the development of export manufacturing companies and all industries in Korea. Second, through the application of MRA to Design Assessments of products and services used in maritime trade, the structure of the shipbuilding, offshore and special ship industries is strengthened, and the Korean maritime industry is strengthened by reducing the construction period and direct costs, and maritime trade can be a shortcut to strengthening to be. Third, by applying MRA to the working process of the International Classification Association for export goods and export services that require maritime trade, it is possible to simplify the procedure and reduce the working period and cost. Fourth, by promoting the integration of the classification society rules first and applying MRA, it is possible to eventually promote the integration of international standards. Finally, the application of MRA to international maritime export products and services is a fundamental means of resolving the liability for damages in the essential contract of maritime trade and export.

FDI, indirect horizontal spillover and firm productivity in China’s manufacturing industry

ABSTRACT The indirect spillover effects of manufacturing foreign direct investment (FDI) through upstream suppliers are often ignored by academia. This paper first explains theoretically the mechanism of indirect horizontal spillovers from foreign-funded firms and matches China Industry Business Performance Data and the China Customs Dataset, then empirically analyzes the indirect horizontal spillover effects of China’s manufacturing FDI through upstream suppliers. The results show that China’s manufacturing FDI generates significant positive technology spillovers to local firms through an indirect horizontal mechanism; the vertical spillover effects of China’s manufacturing FDI are asymmetric; the indirect spillover effects are influenced by firm ownership, whether it trades or not, and firm size; and the indirect spillovers generated by FDI restrain the quality of products for exports by local firms in the intra-industry but significantly improve the quality of products for export of upstream suppliers through backward linkages.

The impact of market integration on the quality of export products: A study based on manufacturing enterprises

Since the reform and opening up, China's economic level has been continuously improved, and the manufacturing industry, as one of the three major industries, has also achieved rapid development. Since joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), China's foreign trade has also maintained rapid growth for many years. However, in recent years, China's manufacturing industry has been facing the problem of large but not strong. China's foreign trade also urgently needs to solve the problem of large volume but insufficient competitiveness. The covid-19 trade friction has been escalating, the globalization of globalization and the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia have affected the development of the global economy to varying degrees, and the uncertainty of the international environment has increased. Since 2020, China has proposed to gradually form a new development pattern with the domestic cycle as the main body and the domestic and international double cycles promoting each other, so as to cultivate China's new advantages in participating in international cooperation and competition under the new situation. In such a severe environment, to implement the instructions of the CPC Central Committee, realize the high-quality development of domestic industry and foreign trade, promote market integration and improve the quality of export products is the only way to improve China's comprehensive strength. Based on this, this paper explores the impact of market integration on the quality of export products and analyzes the impact channels from the enterprise level, and calculates the level of market integration and the quality index of export products by using China Statistical Yearbook, China industrial enterprise database and China customs database. Based on the existing literature, this paper puts forward the following hypotheses: Based on manufacturing enterprises, (1) there is a nonlinear relationship between market integration and export product quality, which is first enhanced and then inhibited, showing an inverted "U" shape. (2) Market integration will improve the quality of export products by promoting human capital. (3) Market integration will affect the improvement of export product quality by promoting scientific research investment. (4) The impact of market integration on the quality of manufacturing export products is significant in non-state-owned enterprises. (5) the impact of market integration on the quality of manufacturing export products is more significant in eastern and western cities. In order to comprehensively test the impact of the above-mentioned manufacturing industry on the quality of China's manufacturing industry, this paper selects 4596 domestic manufacturing enterprises' benchmark and regression data in 2014, and makes an in-depth analysis of the impact of the above-mentioned manufacturing industry on the quality of China's manufacturing industry, In order to provide some theoretical support for improving the quality of China's export products through market integration.

Internationalization strategies of multi‐product firms: The role of technology

AbstractHigh‐performance firms typically have two features in common: (i) they produce in more than one country and (ii) they produce more than one product. In this paper, we analyze the internationalization strategies of multi‐product firms. Guided by several new stylized facts, we develop a theoretical model to determine optimal modes of market access at the firm–product level. We find that the most productive firms sell core varieties via foreign direct investment and export products with intermediate productivity. Shocks to trade costs and technology affect the endogenous decision to export or produce abroad at the product‐level and, in turn, the relative productivity between parents and affiliates.

Marketing Challenges Faced by Seaweed Farmers in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Aim/Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the marketing challenges faced by Zanzibar’s seaweed producers and to recommend suitable strategies.
 Methodology: A case study approach was adopted. The study combined semi-structured questionnaires and informal group discussions with the farmers as tools for primary data collection. A total of 592 seaweed farmers from both Unguja and Pemba participated in the study. The farmers were selected through multistage sampling. Analysis of challenges was done through the Garrett ranking method.
 Results: It was found that the leading marketing challenges for seaweed farmers are the absence of minimum selling price (MSP), limited buyers and the inability to set prices. The absence of MSP was linked to the absence of the industry’s supporting policies. At the same time, limited buyers emanated from the lack of the industry’s business strategy, limited linkage to the domestic market and lack of export differentiation. Farmers’ inability to set prices was found to be a result of exporters’ setting buying prices. Similarly, the study found that the farmers face intense competition due to limited production variety and being large in number. Farmers also were found to have limited marketing and promotional skills and lacked business strategies.
 Conclusion: Several interventions are required to support the seaweed farmers in Zanzibar. First, the creation of guiding industry’s business and marketing/product strategies. Further creation of the industry’s guiding and supporting policies is crucial. Second, establishing domestic demand and linking the industry to its potential users at individual and industrial levels is critical for the survival of Zanzibar’s seaweed industry. Third, the establishment of carrageenan extraction industries to establish export product differentiation. Capacity-building training is vital for farmers in agri-business and financial management areas. Government procurement and provision of storage facilities to minimise the offloading challenge are also needed to lessen the effect of same-time offloading, which exposes farmers to low prices. Lastly, financial assistance should also be provided to promote and upscale seaweed value-addition activities on the island.
 Originality/Value: Examination of marketing challenges faced by seaweed farmers in Zanzibar was conducted using the Garrett ranking technique, and suitable recommendations were proposed.

Research on the High-Quality Development Path of the Cross-Border Agricultural Product Supply Chain between China and Central Asia

As a bridge and link between China and Central Asian countries, logistics infrastructure plays an important role in the process of forming a new development pattern of “dual circulation” and mutual promotion. Based on the panel data of Central Asian countries from 2010 to 2019, this paper uses random effect model to analyze the impact on the cross-border agricultural product supply chain between China and Central Asian countries. The results show that the logistics development level, railway transport connectivity, road transport connectivity, economic development level, market size, and common border of Central Asian countries positively affect the development level of the supply chain at different significance levels. Among them, the degree of railway transport connectivity has the greatest impact on the supply chain, followed by the common border, and then the level of logistics development. Moreover, the geographical advantage cannot be underestimated and it plays a positive role in promoting the high-quality development of cross-border agricultural product supply chain. China borders Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and the agricultural product import and export trade quota is significantly greater than that of other Central Asian countries. Based on the analysis, we propose to strengthen efforts to build a high-quality logistics system, build an efficient land transport network, and break through cross-border logistics congestion and difficulties.

Exporters in Africa: What Role for Trade Costs?

This paper investigates the role of trade costs for exporter dynamics in Africa. In comparison to exporters from other regions, African exporting firms are fewer, smaller, and relatively less diversified in terms of products and destinations. African countries also display the highest rates of entry, exit, and turnover of exporting firms, exporting products, and export destinations. This suggests that Africa’s exporting activity is volatile and subject to much experimentation, with exporters facing difficulties maintaining trade relationships. The analysis also confirms that trade costs are a crucial factor in explaining exporter performance in Africa vis-à-vis other regions, but also among African countries. Trade costs play a disproportionate role in affecting the size of new exporters and the survival of exporters in Africa. Also, trade cost differences across African countries are a relevant factor in explaining the lower market diversification of exporters from landlocked countries. A key implication is that the African Continental Free Trade Area can bring many benefits in terms of export flows and destination markets. Yet, without strengthening productive capacities, the diversification of export products will likely remain limited.

Porter’s Five Forces Analysis of Zanzibar’s Seaweed Industry

Aim: This study intended to analyse the Zanzibar seaweed industry’s (ZSI) profitability potential by adopting Porter’s five forces industry analysis framework. The objective was to identify factors in its structure contributing to the industry’s ongoing primary challenge of low returns.
 Methodology: The study was conducted on Zanzibar island in the United Republic of Tanzania. A case study design approach was adopted. The study’s sample consisted of seaweed farmers, exporters and officials from government institutions linked to the industry. Seaweed farmers were selected through multistage and quota sampling. Exporters were chosen based on experience, i.e. at least five years of operations and above. Government officials were selected through purposive and convenience sampling. The study utilised both primary and secondary data. A triangulation approach was adopted for data collection. Data analysis was done through thematic analysis, descriptive statistics and literature review. Results were adapted into Porter’s framework for further analysis. The threat level for each Porter’s force was determined by weighing their corresponding driving factors, and respondents rated the final results based on the perceived threat level.
 Results: The study found that the Zanzibar seaweed industry has low profitability potential. Threats emanate from the industry’s lack of entry barriers, several available cheap and high-performing substitutes, low switching costs and high bargaining power of buyers and suppliers. The government’s role in promoting the industry’s activities is almost non-existent. Similarly, the industry’s production methods were found to be still traditional. Innovative activities were found to be minimal. In terms of opportunities, the industry remains a viable economic alternative for the rural Zanzibarians due to its low capital entry requirements and short production cycles. The potential for increased income and improved health and nutrition exists if domestic markets are established. The growing global demand for carrageenan also signals the industry’s revenue and income growth potential. Similarly, the ZSI is also a source of economic gender empowerment for rural Zanzibari women.
 Conclusion: Zanzibar’s seaweed industry’s low profitability potential is a result of its structure, production system and the absent role of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ). Due to the unique nature of ZSI challenges, Porter’s generic strategies were found unsuitable. Hence, this study recommends creating a guiding industry business strategy and marketing plan to guide its activities. The industry’s customer base should also be diversified to expand buyer options and minimise risks associated with the global Rhodotypa market’s oligopolistic conditions. The creation of domestic and regional demand is also crucial. The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar should also step in to give the necessary support, primarily through creating industry policy. Additionally, diversification of ZSI export products through establishing carrageenan extraction industries in Zanzibar is vital.

Logistics Path Decision Optimization Method of Fresh Product Export Cold Chain Considering Transportation Risk.

The cold chain logistics route of fresh product export is characterized by large quantity and complexity, which is prone to cause transportation risks of different degrees in the process of fresh product export transportation and affects the decision-making effect of the cold chain logistics route. Therefore, in order to improve the ability of cold chain logistics route planning and shorten the transportation time, an optimization method of fresh product export cold chain logistics route decision considering transportation risk was proposed. This paper analyzes the basic characteristics and classification of cold chain logistics by means of risk quantification and uses the K-nearest neighbor algorithm to predict the risk of traffic congestion, so as to shorten the transportation time. Ahp process is used to construct a risk factor judgment matrix and determine the index weight of risk factors, so as to reduce the error of path planning. A genetic algorithm is introduced to construct the optimal decision function of the cold chain logistics route of new product export and realize the optimization of cold chain logistics route decision of fresh product export. Experimental results show that the method presented in this paper can effectively improve the decision-making effect of cold chain logistics route and select the shortest and most smooth transportation path to complete logistics distribution. The decision-making accuracy of the route decision effect is 90%, and the transportation time is 31.45 min, which has certain feasibility and applicability.