Highlights This study examines the effect of national and global factors on domestic food prices in China. We use Quantile-on-Quantile Regression (QQR), Granger Causality in Quantiles (GCQ), and Wavelet Coherence (WC) approaches. GCQ approach indicates that relationship exists at most of the quantiles. WC indicates the significant relationship between domestic food prices and their determinants at different frequencies and times. QQR estimates indicate that the effect of explanatory variables on domestic food prices changes across the quantiles. This study provides important policy implications based on the findings of this study.