Price Volatility of Idaho Fresh Potatoes: 1987–2007

摘要

This paper presents an empirical analysis of the effectiveness of policies and programs of the United Fresh Potato Growers of Idaho directed toward more careful management of fresh potato supplies. Using autoregressive-conditional-heteroscedasticity models, we analyze Idaho fresh potato prices before the cooperative was formed and during the period when the cooperative is operating. This allows us to measure the cooperative’s influence on the market for Idaho fresh potatoes. We find statistically significant evidence suggesting that fresh potato price volatility is lower during the period when the cooperative is in the market as compared to the pre-cooperative period. The mean price level for fresh potatoes is slightly higher during the cooperative period relative to the pre-cooperative period; however this difference is not statistically significant.