The WTB (Commodity Exchange) at Hannover introduced the trade in malting barley futures on April 16. Closing values end of April were EUR 135 September, EUR 137 November, EUR 140.80 January 2005, EUR 142.50 May 2005. Parities are FOB Denmark, Antwerp, Moselle, Main, Mittellandkanal (North Germany), CIF Upper Rhine. For comparison EBOT is operated for the parity FOB Creil by the group Soufflet and three brokers. As physical malting barley markets in the EU do not always offer cover or hedges when needed, futures trading is a welcome addition to malting barley markets. It is, of course, without any precedent in the world, and will need good volumes in order to succeed.

07 May, 2004