Spatiotemporal Clustering of Key Food Commodity Prices Using Multivariate Time Series

Abstract

Food price stabilization remains a critical challenge in economic development planning and food security, particularly in developing countries like Indonesia, which exhibit high spatial and temporal diversity. To develop an efficient and adaptive predictive approach for understanding food commodity price dynamics, this study integrates multivariate time series clustering using a Dynamic Time Warping-based K-Means algorithm with a hybrid forecasting model that combines Vector Error Correction Model with Exogenous Variables and Long Short-Term Memory. The clustering evaluation results indicate reasonably cohesive group structures, with a silhouette score of 0.45 and a Davies-Bouldin Index of 0.67. Each cluster profile reveals significant differences in price trends, volatility, and anomaly patterns. Model validation using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test shows that the differences between cluster-level forecasts and individual-level actual values are generally statistically insignificant. These findings suggest that the proposed integrative approach can accurately capture regional price patterns and serve as a foundation for more data-driven and responsive policymaking in food price stabilization efforts. The 30-period forecasts for rice, eggs, and red onions reflected dynamic variations aligned with spatial characteristics: rice shows relatively stable behavior, eggs exhibit strong seasonal patterns, and red onions display the highest price volatility.