The integration of domestic and international markets and trade liberalisation offer countries the opportunity to participate in expanded export markets and to take advantage of the reductions in subsidies of developed countries under trade agreements. Gains, however, are not automatic, and are not necessarily shared by all. They depend in part on factors and actions not directly related to trade including domestic policies, institutions and input and output market functioning.

A more liberal trade regime will have diverse impacts on different household typologies depending on their access to assets and technology and their competitive position following trade reforms. ESA research concentrates on: the impact of international trade on various typologies of agricultural and rural households; methodologies to assess these impacts; and policies and programmes which maximise the accrual of benefits of trade to the poorest households.