Abstract

Previous studies analyzing asymmetric price transmission have been based on an econometric specification that is shown to be inconsistent with cointegration. This study draws on the concept of cointegration to implement the von Cramon-Taubadel and Loy error correction approach in analyzing retail-wholesale maize price transmission in Ghana. Asymmetries are modeled to affect the direct impact of price increases and decreases as well as adjustments to the equilibrium level. The analysis demonstrates that transmission between retail and wholesale maize prices in Ghanaian maize market is asymmetric. In accordance with common belief, retailers react more quickly to increasing wholesale prices than decreasing wholesale prices.

Key words: Asymmetric adjustments, cointegration, error correction model.