This text is the result of a partnership initiated by CYCLOPE and UNCTAD in order to make the imp... more This text is the result of a partnership initiated by CYCLOPE and UNCTAD in order to make the important work on commodity markets done by both bodies available to a wider public. It aims to contribute to a better understanding of commodity markets and structures, and improving market transparency.
... of alternative arrangements, and some of their operations may have counterproductive effects,... more ... of alternative arrangements, and some of their operations may have counterproductive effects, in particular ... It has initiated schemes meant to enhance producer welfare, for example the “in kind ...NFA is playing a crucial industry developmental role by: • providing information and ...
The use of warehouse receipt finance in agriculture in transition countries FAO INVESTMENT CENTRE... more The use of warehouse receipt finance in agriculture in transition countries FAO INVESTMENT CENTRE The use of warehouse receipt finance in agriculture in transition countries The use of warehouse receipt finance in agriculture in transition countries
This paper discusses how migrant remittances (which are of large importance to many developing co... more This paper discusses how migrant remittances (which are of large importance to many developing countries) can be used not only as a source of earnings, but also as a tool to generate low-cost finance (at terms better than those imposed by the country's sovereign rating). A concrete structured financing based on migrant remittances into Ghana is described in detail.
This paper discusses of a number of innovative financial techniques that can be used by developin... more This paper discusses of a number of innovative financial techniques that can be used by developing country banks to open up new financing possibilities in the commodities sector, for industries servicing the commodity sector, and for financing on the basis of "commoditized" income streams. This includes techniques such as factoring and forfaiting, countertrade, warehouse receipt finance, prepayments, export receivables finance, Islamic finance, structured import finance, and securitization. A number of practical models for developing country banks are described.
The paper starts with an overview of Cambodia’s rice sector, with a particular attention to aspec... more The paper starts with an overview of Cambodia’s rice sector, with a particular attention to aspects which affect its need for external working capital finance, and characteristics and constraints that could hinder access to such finance (e.g., warehousing capacity, processing constraints, logistics, and market risks). Chapter two describes the general conditions for crop-based financing in Cambodia’s rice sector. Chapter three discusses policy options for enhancing the use of paddy and rice as collateral for financing. The chapter sets out the two main modalities: collateral management, and public warehousing. Both collateral management and public warehousing work best when certain support structures are in place, in particular an indemnity system, a system for the electronic trading of warehouse receipts, and a facility for refinancing warehouse receipt loans (which could be managed by the Central Bank or outsourced to another competent entity such as an investment fund). These are...
This paper explores the potential for futures contracts in tropical (hardwood) plywood, one of th... more This paper explores the potential for futures contracts in tropical (hardwood) plywood, one of the few major internationally traded commodities for which there is no yet a futures market. Commodity characteristics and market structures and practices that have an impact on the feasibility of a futures market are examined in detail, and conclusions drawn as to the way forward if one wishes to create such a market.
Financial instruments such as documentary credit, structured finance and derivatives have proved ... more Financial instruments such as documentary credit, structured finance and derivatives have proved their value in commodity trade. However, the sophistication of these instruments can also make them a tool for financial fraud. This report discusses how, using commodity market instruments such as letters of credit, warehouse receipts, Special Purpose Vehicles, futures and swaps, the sophisticated financial fraudster may try to trick bankers, commercial counterparties, Government regulatory or tax offices, and shareholders. Various techniques that have been used in the past are described, and illustrated with case studies (e.g. the salad oil swindle, Solo Industries and Enron). Ways in which Governments, banks and commodity firms can reduce the potential for such frauds are summarized in the report’s conclusion.
This paper explores the growing involvement of new types of non- commodity-sector-related players... more This paper explores the growing involvement of new types of non- commodity-sector-related players in commodity futures markets. This includes a discussion on the role of managed funds, the impact of the use of commodity warrants, and the direct involvement of banks. The impact of this new form of "speculation" on the price formation process on commodity futures markets is then examined, and conclusions are drawn as to the use of these markets by commodity sector actors.
This paper starts with an overview of the current literature on the cost of price risk exposure t... more This paper starts with an overview of the current literature on the cost of price risk exposure to developing country farmers. It then discusses market-based price risk management instruments (such as futures and options) that can be used by farmers, as well as various mechanisms through which farmers' associations can facilitate farmers' access to price risk management tools as well as lower-cost financing (using warehouse receipt finance, repos and other structured financings). The experiences with use of such modern financial tools by farmers in several developing countries (Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Uganda) are described. The report concludes with a discussion of the practicalities of farmers' associations starting to use such financial instruments, including the potential of new technologies such as smart cards.
This paper describes the experiences of developing country enterprises, farmers and governments w... more This paper describes the experiences of developing country enterprises, farmers and governments with commodity price risk management and various forms of structured finance. It explores the constraints that these entities face in using modern financial markets, including counterparty and sovereign risk obstacles, and problems in their legal and regulatory framework. Various schemes to overcome such obstacles are examined.
This text is the result of a partnership initiated by CYCLOPE and UNCTAD in order to make the imp... more This text is the result of a partnership initiated by CYCLOPE and UNCTAD in order to make the important work on commodity markets done by both bodies available to a wider public. It aims to contribute to a better understanding of commodity markets and structures, and improving market transparency.
... of alternative arrangements, and some of their operations may have counterproductive effects,... more ... of alternative arrangements, and some of their operations may have counterproductive effects, in particular ... It has initiated schemes meant to enhance producer welfare, for example the “in kind ...NFA is playing a crucial industry developmental role by: • providing information and ...
The use of warehouse receipt finance in agriculture in transition countries FAO INVESTMENT CENTRE... more The use of warehouse receipt finance in agriculture in transition countries FAO INVESTMENT CENTRE The use of warehouse receipt finance in agriculture in transition countries The use of warehouse receipt finance in agriculture in transition countries
This paper discusses how migrant remittances (which are of large importance to many developing co... more This paper discusses how migrant remittances (which are of large importance to many developing countries) can be used not only as a source of earnings, but also as a tool to generate low-cost finance (at terms better than those imposed by the country's sovereign rating). A concrete structured financing based on migrant remittances into Ghana is described in detail.
This paper discusses of a number of innovative financial techniques that can be used by developin... more This paper discusses of a number of innovative financial techniques that can be used by developing country banks to open up new financing possibilities in the commodities sector, for industries servicing the commodity sector, and for financing on the basis of "commoditized" income streams. This includes techniques such as factoring and forfaiting, countertrade, warehouse receipt finance, prepayments, export receivables finance, Islamic finance, structured import finance, and securitization. A number of practical models for developing country banks are described.
The paper starts with an overview of Cambodia’s rice sector, with a particular attention to aspec... more The paper starts with an overview of Cambodia’s rice sector, with a particular attention to aspects which affect its need for external working capital finance, and characteristics and constraints that could hinder access to such finance (e.g., warehousing capacity, processing constraints, logistics, and market risks). Chapter two describes the general conditions for crop-based financing in Cambodia’s rice sector. Chapter three discusses policy options for enhancing the use of paddy and rice as collateral for financing. The chapter sets out the two main modalities: collateral management, and public warehousing. Both collateral management and public warehousing work best when certain support structures are in place, in particular an indemnity system, a system for the electronic trading of warehouse receipts, and a facility for refinancing warehouse receipt loans (which could be managed by the Central Bank or outsourced to another competent entity such as an investment fund). These are...
This paper explores the potential for futures contracts in tropical (hardwood) plywood, one of th... more This paper explores the potential for futures contracts in tropical (hardwood) plywood, one of the few major internationally traded commodities for which there is no yet a futures market. Commodity characteristics and market structures and practices that have an impact on the feasibility of a futures market are examined in detail, and conclusions drawn as to the way forward if one wishes to create such a market.
Financial instruments such as documentary credit, structured finance and derivatives have proved ... more Financial instruments such as documentary credit, structured finance and derivatives have proved their value in commodity trade. However, the sophistication of these instruments can also make them a tool for financial fraud. This report discusses how, using commodity market instruments such as letters of credit, warehouse receipts, Special Purpose Vehicles, futures and swaps, the sophisticated financial fraudster may try to trick bankers, commercial counterparties, Government regulatory or tax offices, and shareholders. Various techniques that have been used in the past are described, and illustrated with case studies (e.g. the salad oil swindle, Solo Industries and Enron). Ways in which Governments, banks and commodity firms can reduce the potential for such frauds are summarized in the report’s conclusion.
This paper explores the growing involvement of new types of non- commodity-sector-related players... more This paper explores the growing involvement of new types of non- commodity-sector-related players in commodity futures markets. This includes a discussion on the role of managed funds, the impact of the use of commodity warrants, and the direct involvement of banks. The impact of this new form of "speculation" on the price formation process on commodity futures markets is then examined, and conclusions are drawn as to the use of these markets by commodity sector actors.
This paper starts with an overview of the current literature on the cost of price risk exposure t... more This paper starts with an overview of the current literature on the cost of price risk exposure to developing country farmers. It then discusses market-based price risk management instruments (such as futures and options) that can be used by farmers, as well as various mechanisms through which farmers' associations can facilitate farmers' access to price risk management tools as well as lower-cost financing (using warehouse receipt finance, repos and other structured financings). The experiences with use of such modern financial tools by farmers in several developing countries (Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Uganda) are described. The report concludes with a discussion of the practicalities of farmers' associations starting to use such financial instruments, including the potential of new technologies such as smart cards.
This paper describes the experiences of developing country enterprises, farmers and governments w... more This paper describes the experiences of developing country enterprises, farmers and governments with commodity price risk management and various forms of structured finance. It explores the constraints that these entities face in using modern financial markets, including counterparty and sovereign risk obstacles, and problems in their legal and regulatory framework. Various schemes to overcome such obstacles are examined.
Uploads