The impact mechanism of MRLs standards harmonization on China’s tea export trade—evidence from RCEP countries

The RCEP countries are key markets for China’s tea exports, and the harmonization of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) standards for pesticides between China and these countries significantly impacts China’s tea trade. Building on previous research, this study develops an enhanced MRLs harmonization ind...

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Main Authors: Miao Wenjun, Huo Zenghui, Chen Fuqiao, Zhang Mei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1504001/full
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author Miao Wenjun
Huo Zenghui
Chen Fuqiao
Zhang Mei
author_facet Miao Wenjun
Huo Zenghui
Chen Fuqiao
Zhang Mei
author_sort Miao Wenjun
collection DOAJ
description The RCEP countries are key markets for China’s tea exports, and the harmonization of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) standards for pesticides between China and these countries significantly impacts China’s tea trade. Building on previous research, this study develops an enhanced MRLs harmonization index and proposes a theoretical hypothesis that the harmonization of MRLs affects tea export prices and quantities by influencing trade costs. By analyzing tea MRL data from 2010 to 2022, the study finds that the harmonization of MRLs standards between China and the RCEP countries has continuously improved. Estimation results from the stochastic frontier gravity model indicate that MRL harmonization significantly enhances tea export efficiency, a conclusion further supported by robustness and endogeneity tests. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that MRLs harmonization has a stronger impact on tea trade with low- and middle-income countries than with high-income countries. Mechanism analysis further demonstrates that reducing MRLs disparities between China and the RCEP countries reduces tea export costs and effectively boosts export volumes. These findings provide theoretical and practical insights for the RCEP countries to enhance tea trade standard harmonization and promote the sustainable development of regional tea trade.
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series Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
spelling doaj-art-76e170a7b89f4b91a783cb10d97262ed2025-08-20T02:16:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-04-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.15040011504001The impact mechanism of MRLs standards harmonization on China’s tea export trade—evidence from RCEP countriesMiao Wenjun0Huo Zenghui1Chen Fuqiao2Zhang Mei3College of Economics and Management, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, ChinaCollege of Economics and Management, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, ChinaTea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, ChinaNanxun Innovation Institute, Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Hangzhou, ChinaThe RCEP countries are key markets for China’s tea exports, and the harmonization of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) standards for pesticides between China and these countries significantly impacts China’s tea trade. Building on previous research, this study develops an enhanced MRLs harmonization index and proposes a theoretical hypothesis that the harmonization of MRLs affects tea export prices and quantities by influencing trade costs. By analyzing tea MRL data from 2010 to 2022, the study finds that the harmonization of MRLs standards between China and the RCEP countries has continuously improved. Estimation results from the stochastic frontier gravity model indicate that MRL harmonization significantly enhances tea export efficiency, a conclusion further supported by robustness and endogeneity tests. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that MRLs harmonization has a stronger impact on tea trade with low- and middle-income countries than with high-income countries. Mechanism analysis further demonstrates that reducing MRLs disparities between China and the RCEP countries reduces tea export costs and effectively boosts export volumes. These findings provide theoretical and practical insights for the RCEP countries to enhance tea trade standard harmonization and promote the sustainable development of regional tea trade.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1504001/fullMRLs standardsharmonizationRCEPtea exportsinfluencing mechanism
spellingShingle Miao Wenjun
Huo Zenghui
Chen Fuqiao
Zhang Mei
The impact mechanism of MRLs standards harmonization on China’s tea export trade—evidence from RCEP countries
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
MRLs standards
harmonization
RCEP
tea exports
influencing mechanism
title The impact mechanism of MRLs standards harmonization on China’s tea export trade—evidence from RCEP countries
title_full The impact mechanism of MRLs standards harmonization on China’s tea export trade—evidence from RCEP countries
title_fullStr The impact mechanism of MRLs standards harmonization on China’s tea export trade—evidence from RCEP countries
title_full_unstemmed The impact mechanism of MRLs standards harmonization on China’s tea export trade—evidence from RCEP countries
title_short The impact mechanism of MRLs standards harmonization on China’s tea export trade—evidence from RCEP countries
title_sort impact mechanism of mrls standards harmonization on china s tea export trade evidence from rcep countries
topic MRLs standards
harmonization
RCEP
tea exports
influencing mechanism
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1504001/full
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