The Evolution and Mechanism of the Spatial Pattern of Entry and Exit of Chinese Agricultural Product Processing Enterprises

The entry (formation of new enterprises) and exit (dissolution, revocation, or relocation of existing enterprises) of businesses within a region represent fundamental dynamics of local economic activity. These processes drive industrial spatial agglomeration and cluster formation—a central focus of economic geography research. Following China's reform and opening-up policy, the prioritized development of eastern coastal regions led to a surge in business density, resulting in an uneven "east-high, west-low" spatial distribution nationwide. Entering the 21st century, intensified spatial restructuring of businesses narrowed regional disparities through frequent entry and exit activity, shifting the spatial pattern toward balanced and coordinated development. Thus, analyzing enterprise spatial evolution through entry/exit dynamics holds significant research value. Concurrently, robust expansion in industry and agriculture propelled rapid growth in the agriculturally linked processing sector. From 2000 to 2021, China’s large-scale agricultural processing enterprises surged from under 20,000 to over 110,000, establishing this sector as a vital component of the national economy.