Euronext extends dairy futures fee holiday in a bid to 'trigger' interest
The pan-European stock and derivatives exchange yesterday informed members that the "fee holiday" on its dairy derivatives would be extended to September 30.
It launched three dairy commodity futures - salted lactic butter, skimmed milk powder (SMP) and sweet whey powder - on April 13, and offered a full trading fee waiver until June 30 "to facilitate trading of these instruments."
Its salted lactic butter, SMP and sweet whey powder futures contracts have, however, been slow to take off.
"It's a long term project as with any commodity project, and it's not unusual for new complexes to take time to gain traction," a Euronext spokesperson told DairyReporter.com.
"It was the same for rapeseed contracts, for example."
"But we're confident about these contracts."
It hopes extending the "fee holiday" for dairy futures will act as a "trigger for the market," the spokesperson added.
"Reference point for the price of milk"
Euronext first announced plans for a full suite of dairy futures and options in November 2014.
It unveiled the complex in Amsterdam on March 31 2015 - the eve of the abolition of the European Union (EU) milk quotas.
The EU milk quota system, which was introduced as a temporary measure in 1984 to address the issue of overproduction, expired on the final day of the 2014/15 season.
Each season, EU Member States were issued two national quotas - one for deliveries to processors and another for direct sales at farm level.
Member States that exceeded either quota were handed a fine called a superlevy of €27.83 per 100kg.
Speaking with DairyReporter.com in April 2015, Euronext's Nicholas Kennedy said the introduction of dairy commodity futures in post-quota Europe would provide a "reference point for the price of milk."
Euronext also plans to launch a selection of dairy commodity options in "early fall" 2015, he said.
In time may add more commodities, such as cheese, to its dairy derivatives complex, Kennedy added.
