Market reforms, spatial price spread and market connectedness: Evidence from wheat markets in Pakistan

Abstract

This study, while using the data from 8 wheat markets of Pakistan, examines the extent of spatial price spread and market connectedness during reform and pre-reform periods. It is found that market reforms reduced the spatial price spread in 21 of 28 pairs of markets during reform period. The general view that more near the two markets are, stronger will be the co-movement of their prices, did not get support from empirical evidences. By encouraging the private sector and also limiting the extent of government intervention in the trading activity, correct price signals can be transmitted down to the marketing channel and can guide the farmers to specialize according to their comparative advantages. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.