Volatality of Agricultural Prices – An Analysis of Major International and Domestic Markets

The price volatility of agricultural commodities assumes critical importance in the context of the ongoing debate regarding agricultural trade liberalisation in India. The arguments against agricultural trade liberalisation are often based on the issue of larger volatility in international markets. In order to make informed judgements about this crucial aspect of agriculture, which has implications for the entire economy, it is essential to study the volatility patterns in international and domestic markets in a comparative framework. The study uses monthly price data. The commodities selected for the study are wheat, rice, palm oil, groundnut oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, sugar, cotton, tea and coffee [ICRIER WP No. 103].