Analysis of the impact of agricultural products import trade on agricultural carbon productivity: empirical evidence from China

China strives to achieve low-carbon agricultural development, and its agricultural trade deficit has become a reality. Therefore, this paper empirically analyzes the impact of agricultural products import trade on agricultural carbon productivity and its mechanism. The following conclusions are drawn: firstly, agricultural products import trade positively impacts agricultural carbon productivity. Secondly, there is a single threshold effect based on economic development level in the impact relationship between the above two. Thirdly, agricultural products import trade increases agricultural carbon productivity by reducing agricultural production factor inputs, adjusting the agricultural structure, and upgrading the agricultural production technology level.