Agricultural Supply Chains and the Challenge of Price Risk
This book discusses the issues of integration within food and fibre supply chains and
the challenges in managing price risk. The problems of integration and price risk are
interwoven in agricultural supply chains with production and supply risk as well as
hoarding. However, without supply chain integration through commercial trade markets there
can be no forward market upon which forward transactions and the management of price risk
can be based. Without a forward market that can reduce opportunistic behaviour, there is
likely to be little security of supply, particularly under high production risk and price
uncertainty. Whilst price risk management is possible under certain circumstances, there
are many factors that can prevent the development of forward markets or cause them to
collapse, thus undermining the ability to manage price risk within acceptable risk and
return parameters. Market positions therefore need to be valued and often settled daily
due to the risk of contract default. In addition, the issue of currency risk and its
management applies to international market positions and transactional exposures. The book
analyses a range of price risk management strategies from forward contracting through to
futures and options hedging, and finally to over-the-counter products. Evaluation
techniques are developed to aid decision-making. The author concludes that forward market
development may be the exception rather than the norm, and that whilst favourable price
risk management outcomes may be possible, they can sometimes be caused more by luck than
through good management. It is shown how tactics are an important consideration in
decision-making to minimize costs and losses. "John Williams work is a pioneering
contribution to explain the complex use of financial agricultural markets for participants
of the physical markets. It presents the opportunities and the strategies of using
derivative contracts, from basic forward contracts to structured derivatives, in a very
sound manner. The implications for the efficiency of supply chains are clearly stated. A
challenging work which is really a great success." - Jean E. Cordier, Professeur
Agrocampus Ouest, France. "Risk in the production and distribution of agricultural
commodities is influenced by production uncertainty, price risk, and the institutional
environment in which trading occurs. The major actor in this environment is government,
which can both facilitate the management of risk management institutions such as
derivatives markets and also limit their efficient operation through subsidies,
production-price controls, over-regulation, etc. This book focuses on the important issues
affecting markets, as well as explaining the principles and mechanics of risk management
strategies." - Professor Bill Schroder, Melbourne, Australia. "John Williams
brings to us in this new book an interesting and integrated approach to the growing
uncertainties existing in modern food chains. The challenge to produce food for a growing
population, with income changes and urbanizing, is putting pressure on resources,
increasing our exposure. It is a very important topic for discussions in the next decade,
and the book helps to improve our capacity of analysis." - Professor Marcos Fava
Neves, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Introduction
1. Integration and Forward Contracting
2. Forward Markets
3. Problems with Risk Management
4. Position, Default, and Valuation
5. Futures Hedging and Basis Risk
6. Options Hedging and Price Enhancement
7. OTC Pricing Products
8. Tactics and Evaluation
9. Post-harvest Issues
10. Currency and Risk Management
11. Limitations in Managing Risk
12. Arbitrage and Spread Trades Conclusion
304 pages, Paperback