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Abstract
This article measures the advantage granted
by the European Union to different Mediterranean
countries in the fruit and vegetables sector in the
framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Association
Agreements. The advantage of each country are
evaluated by calculating the value of the preferential
margins, which compares the amount of the customs
duties paid by an exporting country with the amount of
the duties this country would have paid if it had not
enjoyed tariff preferences. The situation of the
Mediterranean countries appears to be highly unequal
in terms of the advantages granted by the EU in the fruit
and vegetables sector. The progress of bilateral
negotiations and the export structure in each country
explain the significant variations in preferential margins
from one Mediterranean country to the next. These
results allow us to discuss the potential impacts of a
liberalisation of fruit and vegetable trade within the
Euro-Mediterranean zone.