208-272 Commodity Marketing

At the end of the course students should be able to:

• analyse and conduct a trade negotiation;

• analyse and select a suitable option for a commodity trading contract;

• chart and analyse commodity price information;

• take an effective bargaining position as a primary producer, trader and end user of commodities; and

• describe the market channel and major operation for a range of major agricultural commodities.

The subject covers areas of:

• marketing channels and related organisations;

• concentration of ownership of product;

• commodity trading options;

• interpreting trading contracts;

• market positioning;

• physical and financial risk management strategies;

• market information services and market charting; and

• financing commodity trading and risk management.

One 2.5-hour written examination worth 40% of final marks, two assignments equivalent to 3000 words and worth 30% of final marks each.

• Padberg, Ritson and Albisu (eds), Agri-food Marketing. CAB International, New York, 1997.