Cassava price volatility: evidence from Ghana

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed a sharp increase in many commodity prices in general. This study is focused on examining cassava price and its volatility in the Volta region of Ghana. Secondary data was collected on cassava price and key variables that determine price volatility. Our results show that cassava price averagely increases significantly by 46% annually with the volatility level of 30.8% annually and 177.8% over the period (1970-2012). Furthermore, Inflation and exchange rate were positive and significant determinants of the price of cassava whilst cassava yield, inflation and exchange rate had significant positive relationship with the volatility of cassava price. Based on the finding of the study, it is recommended that policies stabilizing inflation, exchange rate, establishment of price controls, designing output risk insurance and training farmers in value addition will help address the challenge of a volatile cassava price