Trend in the International Terms of Trade Between Primary Producers and Manufacturers

Movements in the terms of trade between primary producers and manufacturers are analyzed using a model that introduces the influence of relative wage movements in the primary and manufacturing sectors as well as the influence of mark-up pricing in manufacturing. The model is estimated using data on the relative price of primary commodities and manufactured goods in international trade during the post-World War II (WWII) period. A decline in wages of primary-sector workers relative to those of workers in manufacturing and a rise in manufacturing margins are both estimated to have reduced the terms of trade for primary producers. However, expansion of manufacturing output is estimated to have a positive impact that has more than offset the negative influences during periods of moderate to strong growth.