Human Trophic Level and Trade Openness: Insights from Global Seafood Consumption Patterns

This study investigates the relationship between Human Trophic Level (HTL) and trade openness within the context of seafood consumption patterns. Utilizing a comprehensive panel dataset spanning from 1990 to 2019 and covering 168 countries, this study applied fixed effects and random effects models to uncover the dynamics between trade openness, seafood diversity, and socioeconomic factors. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between trade openness and HTL, demonstrating that increased access to diverse and high-trophic-level seafood products fosters improvements in national HTL. Additionally, economic development exhibits a non-linear relationship with HTL, where higher income initially drives a preference for high-trophic-level species, but dietary patterns diversify at advanced income levels. This study also highlights geographic disparities, with landlocked countries benefiting most from trade openness, whereas island and peninsula nations are influenced more by geographic and economic factors. These insights underscore the pivotal role of trade in shaping sustainable seafood consumption and provide actionable guidance for policymakers aiming to align economic growth with ecological sustainability.