Key countries in the structure of the SouthAmerica production network

Abstract We study the heterogeneous structure of the production network of 10 South American countries using the input-output data for identifying which of those countries and their economic sectors lead the economic performance of the region. We apply complex network analysis to characterize the structure of the economies and the relation between national production networks and the regional economy. Main results give evidence that the most relevant countries for the regional structure are Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. These countries have different structural properties, but contribute greatly to the structure of the regional economy. The most important sectors of the region are agricultural activities and manufacturing of simple low-transformation products such as food. Finally, results give evidence of competition of countries in similar markets, such as meat, rather than cooperation.