Monitoring and forecasting food prices in the euro area

This paper presents a comprehensive framework developed by the Banco de España to monitor and forecast food price dynamics in the euro area, particularly in response to the sharp increase in food inflation observed between 2022 and 2024. The study introduces a suite of models tailored to different aspects of the food value chain, integrating data from consumer and producer prices, farm-gate prices and international commodity and futures markets. Key tools include a Food Value Chain Model (VARx) to estimate the pass-through of commodity and fuel price shocks to consumer prices, an Asymmetric Price Transmission Model to capture non-linear effects and a Conditional Forecasting framework using different modelling approaches and futures data to simulate inflation scenarios. Additionally, a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) assesses the long-term relationship between food and non-food prices. These tools aim to enhance central bank decision-making and food security analysis by providing timely, scenario-based insights into food inflation trends.