Potential Gains and Losses of Biofuel Production in Argentina: A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis

• Autores: Chisari, Omar Osvaldo; Romero, Carlos Adrián; Timilsina, Govinda
• Año de publicación: 2012
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: Biofuels; Equilibrio general computable; Argentina
• Institución: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

Argentina is one of the world’s largest biodiesel producers and the largest exporter, using soybeans as feedstock. Using a computable general equilibrium model that explicitly represents the biofuel industry, this study carries out several simulations on two sets of issues: (i) international markets for biofuel and feedstock, such as an increase in prices of soybean, soybean oil, and biodiesel, and (ii) domestic policies related to biofuels, such as an introduction of biofuel mandates. Both sets of issues can have important consequences to the Argentinean economy. The simulations indicate that increases in international prices of biofuels and feedstocks would increase Argentina’s gross domestic product and social welfare. Increases in international prices of ethanol and corn also can benefit Argentina, but to a lesser extent. The domestic mandates for biofuels, however, would cause small losses in economic output and social welfare because they divert part of biodiesel and feedstock from exports to lower-return domestic consumption. An increase in the export tax on either feedstock or biodiesel also would lead to a reduction in gross domestic product and social welfare, although government revenue would rise.
Fil: Chisari, Omar Osvaldo. Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Instituto de Economía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Economía Política de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Economía Política de Buenos Aires; Argentina
Fil: Romero, Carlos Adrián. Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Instituto de Economía; Argentina
Fil: Timilsina, Govinda. Banco Mundial; Estados Unidos