The sophistication of imports and the nature of competition in the destination markets. The case of agri-food trade

In this paper the concept of sophistication is extended from exports to imports, assuming a relationship between the income of importing countries and the sophistication of their agri-food imports. The Consy index, measuring import sophistication, shows that processed and fresh goods with complex logistics and technology, higher quality, branding, etc. are mainly destined to richer countries. Specific results for a selection of products show that the index synthetises the different levels of sophistication of a group of exporters on their target markets.