NYSE Liffe, the Europe-based derivatives business of NYSE Euronext (NYX), today announced the launch of Malting Barley futures and options on Monday 10 May 2010.
The NYSE Liffe Malting Barley Contract, which will encompass Malting Barley from any European origin in a 50-tonne lot size, has been designed to meet the growing demand for new price risk management tools from the European Malting Barley sector.
It is unique in being the only market available worldwide to meet the specific hedging requirements of maltsters, brewers and distillers as well as those engaged in the production and trade of Malting Barley.
Ian Dudden, director of Commodity Derivatives at NYSE Liffe commented: “We have seen unprecedented growth in our portfolio of agricultural futures and options contracts over recent years. Going forward, we expect Malting Barley to play an important part in the continued growth of this portfolio as demand for price risk management tools continues to increase across the European agricultural sector.”
François Pignolet, deputy ceo of Axereal, a leading player in the European grain sector added “The Malting Barley sector has been in need of an organised market tool for many years: it is essential for the organisation of the industry, from producer to brewers. The different European participants have been able to work together on the development of this tool, taking on board the expectations and needs of all. Thanks to NYSE Liffe, we will be able to effectively hedge our price risk in Malting Barley.”
Michel Costes, President of the Syndicat de Paris du Commerce et des Industries des Grains, has been very much involved in the malt and Malting Barley sector throughout his professional career. He commented: “The operators of the barley-malt-beer chain have always been very much united and quality-minded towards the consumer. However, their profitability has regularly been hampered by the difficulty in managing the price volatility of Malting Barley. Going forward, it will be possible to cover this risk and I am sure they will all benefit from using this new and essential tool for their business”.