This study provides a comprehensive analysis of how immigration affects both the value and variety of agri-food imports, using a dynamic panel framework with the Arellano–Bond GMM estimator. We contribute to the literature by applying a product-level variety measure, commonly used in trade and welfare research, to the migration–trade context. This approach allows for a more precise assessment of how immigrants influence food diversity in the host country. Using data from South Korea, the results show that immigrants significantly increase both agri-food import values and the number of imported product types. The effects are particularly strong for processed foods, which tend to reflect cultural preferences and are easier to trade due to longer shelf life and standardized packaging. The analysis further shows that immigrants from culturally dissimilar countries are associated with greater food variety, while those from countries without free trade agreements have trade impacts similar to immigrants from FTA partners. This highlights the importance of informal networks in facilitating cross-border exchange. The findings expand migration–trade theory by incorporating cultural consumption and product diversity, and suggest that immigrants contribute not only as workers but also as conduits linking domestic markets to global food systems. Recognizing this role can help shape more inclusive immigration and trade policies that support cultural integration, consumer welfare, and resilient market development.
Quan et al. (Fri,) studied this question.