Geo-Based Visual Network Analysis of Export and Import Patterns in International Wheat Trade

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe worldwide export and import patterns in wheat trade and investigate their interconnections. The analysis uses Gephi techniques, including Geo layout and Fruchterman-Reingold algorithms. The research reveals the most important objectives of the wheat network by identifying and quantifying exporters and importers, subnetworks and flow pathways by calculating the centrality, network and clustering metrics. The results of the network analysis of the global wheat trade system highlight the scale-free character of the world’s wheat supply system.