The European Energy Exchange (EEX) and Eurex Exchange have jointly decided to concentrate trading in agricultural derivatives within EEX, in which Eurex holds a majority interest of 62.57 per cent.
The move will give customers access to a large and standardised offering of commodity derivatives contracts via one platform.
The agricultural derivatives currently tradable on Eurex Exchange will be offered on EEX from 2015.
Eurex Exchange’s product portfolio comprises futures on potatoes, skimmed milk powder, whey powder, butter, hogs and piglets. All contracts are quoted in Euro and are settled in cash. Market indices which reflect the underlying physical transactions are used as reference prices.


“EEX has comprehensive expertise in trading in energy and commodity derivatives,” says Andreas Preuß, chief executive officer of Eurex. “The transfer of the Eurex agricultural derivatives segment to our subsidiary EEX is an important step towards establishing EEX as the commodity exchange within Eurex Group.”


“With the introduction of agricultural products, we continue our strategy of expanding our offering to further asset classes,” adds Peter Reitz, chief executive officer of EEX. “In this context, trading participants can benefit from a complementary product offering of commodities, such as power, gas or fertilisers for example, on one platform and the further expansion of the agricultural product portfolio. We will cooperate very closely with the agricultural and food sector in this respect. Furthermore, participants can save costs through the settlement of trades in various commodity transactions by our clearing house ECC.”


Over the next months, EEX and Eurex will work together with market participants, clearing members, brokers and final consumers to ensure a smooth transition of trading. 


As part of its growth strategy, EEX pursues organic growth in its existing markets and the expansion to further regions and asset classes. Through the acquisition of the majority interest in Cleartrade Exchange (CLTX) in December 2013, EEX has already expanded its offering to further energy-related contracts, such as freight, iron ore, fuel oil and fertilisers.
