Estimation of Impacts of Global Factors on World Food Prices: A Comparison of Machine Learning Algorithms and Time Series Econometric Models

Ulussever T., ERTUĞRUL H. M., KILIÇ DEPREN S., Kartal M. T., Depren Ö.

Foods, cilt.12, sa.4, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 12 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/foods12040873
  • Dergi Adı: Foods
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, CAB Abstracts, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: global food prices, machine learning algorithms, time series econometric models
  • Anadolu Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

It is a well-felt recent phenomenal fact that global food prices have dramatically increased and attracted attention from practitioners and researchers. In line with this attraction, this study uncovers the impact of global factors on predicting food prices in an empirical comparison by using machine learning algorithms and time series econometric models. Covering eight global explanatory variables and monthly data from January 1991 to May 2021, the results show that machine learning algorithms reveal a better performance than time series econometric models while Multi-layer Perceptron is defined as the best machine learning algorithm among alternatives. Furthermore, the one-month lagged global food prices are found to be the most significant factor on the global food prices followed by raw material prices, fertilizer prices, and oil prices, respectively. Thus, the results highlight the effects of fluctuations in the global variables on global food prices. Additionally, policy implications are discussed.