Journal #J-02/2002 |
Input Factor Substitutability in
Salmon Aquaculture
| |
Atle Guttormsen |
Department of Economics & Social Sciences
Agricultural University of Norway
PO Box 5033, N-1432 Ås, Norway
http://www.nlh.no/ior/
e-mail: atle.guttormsen@ior.nlh.no |
Guttormsen, A. (2002): "Input Factor Substitutability in Salmon Aquaculture", Marine Resource Economics, 17(2):91-102
Abstract:
The salmon aquaculture industry has experienced substantial expansion during the last two decades. This expansion is largely a result of increased productivity, with a complementary decrease in costs. A general reduction in production costs has been accompanied by substantial shifts in the shares of inputs. Hence, one may question whether the technology has changed so much that some input factors are no longer substitutes in production. In this study, we investigate this by estimating a translog cost function focusing on the difference between full and partial static equilibrium specifications. The results from the different specifications provide evidence of limited or zero substitution possibilities in salmon production. This implies that salmon farming today can be thought of as a converter or refinement industry where less valuable fish (the feed) are converted into higher-valued product.
Key words: Cost functions, productivity, Salmon aquaculture, substitution.
To order: fax (+47) 6494 3012 or e-mail: ior@ior.nlh.no
|