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Food Financialization: Impact of Derivatives and Index Funds on Agri-Food Market Volatility

Author

Listed:
  • María del Rosario Venegas

    (FES Acatlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Naucalpan de Juarez 53150, Mexico)

  • Jorge Feregrino

    (FES Acatlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Naucalpan de Juarez 53150, Mexico)

  • Nelson Lay

    (Escuela de Psicología, Facultad Educación y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7591538, Chile)

  • Juan Felipe Espinosa-Cristia

    (Ecuela de Ingeniería Comercial, Departamento de Ingeniería Comercial, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaiso 2390123, Chile)

Abstract

This study explores the financialization of agricultural commodities, focusing on how financial derivatives and index funds impact the volatility of agro-food markets. Using a Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) GARCH model, we analyze volatility spillovers among key agricultural commodities, particularly maize, and related financial assets over a sample period from 2007 to 2020. Our analysis includes major financial assets like Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), the S&P 500 index, and agribusiness corporations such as ADM and Bunge and the largest corn flour producer, GRUMA. The results indicate that financial speculation, especially via passive investments such as ETFs, has intensified price volatility in commodity futures, leading to a systemic risk increase within the sector. This study provides empirical evidence of increased market integration between the agro-food sector and financial markets, underscoring risks to food security and economic stability. We conclude with recommendations for regulatory actions to mitigate systemic risks posed by the growing financial influence in agricultural markets.

Suggested Citation

  • María del Rosario Venegas & Jorge Feregrino & Nelson Lay & Juan Felipe Espinosa-Cristia, 2024. "Food Financialization: Impact of Derivatives and Index Funds on Agri-Food Market Volatility," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-29, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijfss:v:12:y:2024:i:4:p:121-:d:1536071
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jennifer Clapp & S. Ryan Isakson, 2018. "Risky Returns: The Implications of Financialization in the Food System," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 49(2), pages 437-460, March.
    2. Luca J. Liebi, 2020. "The effect of ETFs on financial markets: a literature review," Financial Markets and Portfolio Management, Springer;Swiss Society for Financial Market Research, vol. 34(2), pages 165-178, June.
    3. Suleyman Basak & Anna Pavlova, 2016. "A Model of Financialization of Commodities," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 71(4), pages 1511-1556, August.
    4. Silvennoinen, Annastiina & Thorp, Susan, 2013. "Financialization, crisis and commodity correlation dynamics," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 42-65.
    5. Liu, Peng (Peter) & Tang, Ke, 2010. "No-arbitrage conditions for storable commodities and the modeling of futures term structures," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 1675-1687, July.
    6. Wonho Wilson Choi & Jinyong Kim & Mingook Kim, 2016. "Derivatives holdings and market values of U.S. bank holding companies," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(49), pages 4747-4757, October.
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    1. Wielechowski, Michał & Czech, Katarzyna, 2025. "U.S. Presidential Elections And Agricultural Market Volatility. Is There A “Trump Effect” On Grain Commodities?," Roczniki (Annals), Polish Association of Agricultural Economists and Agribusiness - Stowarzyszenie Ekonomistow Rolnictwa e Agrobiznesu (SERiA), vol. 2025(1).

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