Detrended cross-correlations analysis between oil shocks and world food prices

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the relationship between oil price shocks and world food prices between 1974 and 2018. Design/methodology/approachThe authors use the SVAR model to disentangle the oil price into supply, aggregate demand and oil-specific demand shocks and apply the detrended cross-correlations analysis to measure the association between oil price shocks and food returns/volatility and analyze contagion effects between oil and food markets. FindingsThe results show that the correlations between oil and food prices depend on whether oil prices changes are driven by supply or demand shocks. Particularly, food returns (volatility) are positively (negatively) more dependent on the oil price changes driven by aggregate demand (oil specific demand) shocks. Further analysis dealing with contagion analysis between oil and food markets shows a contagion effect during the food crisis of 2006-2008. Oil-specific demand shocks are the main source of this phenomenon. Research limitations/implicationsThis study differentiates itself from the previous literature by simultaneously disentangling oil price into supply, aggregate demand and oil-specific demand-driven shocks and evaluating the cross-correlations between each shock type and food returns/volatility. Specifically, this study has the originality of detecting the main source of contagion effects between oil and food markets over the food crisis of 2006-2008. Practical implicationsThe results of this study are important for policymakers and investors. They should account for the oil price fluctuations differently depending on whether the oil price shocks are driven by the demand or supply side. Moreover, they should anticipate an increase (decrease) in food prices due to a positive (negative) oil shock. In addition, special attention should be accorded to the world oil demand. Finally, when a food crisis occurs, markets operators should focus more on the specific oil-demand shocks, as it is the most contributor to possible contagion effects between oil and food markets. Originality/valueThis study differentiates itself from the previous literature by simultaneously disentangling oil price into supply, aggregate demand and oil-specific demand-driven shocks and evaluating the cross-correlations between each shock type and food returns/volatility. Specifically, this study has the originality of detecting the main source of contagion effects between oil and food markets over the food crisis of 2006-2008.

Automated summary

This paper examines the relationship between oil price shocks and global food prices from 1974 to 2018. The results show that the correlation between oil and food prices depends on whether the changes in oil prices are driven by supply or demand shocks. In addition, contagion effects between the oil and food markets were observed during the food crisis of 2006-2008, with oil-specific demand shocks being the main contributor.