Revealed comparative production advantage: Implications for competitiveness in Florida's vegetable industry

Competitiveness has become increasingly important as commodities enter regional and/or international markets. Empirical measures of relative competitiveness that are comparable across commodities are essential. A measure of competitiveness is revealed through an index of production response. Using growth models and assumed supply elasticities as components in the index, competitiveness in the Florida vegetable industry is measured. Florida lettuce, strawberries, and fresh tomatoes show the highest revealed comparative production advantage among Florida's vegetable crops as well as against other US vegetable production regions. Improved yields was a major contributing factor to this stronger competitiveness for these three crops.