MUMBAI, 16 February 2021: National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX), India’s leading agricultural derivatives exchange, will be launching the Hi-Pro Soybean Meal futures contract on Wednesday, 17 February 2021.
The basis centre and additional delivery centre for the contract would be Indore and Latur respectively. The futures contracts, expiring in the months of March 2021 to September 2021 will be available for trading at the time of launch.
Commenting on the launch, Vijay Kumar, MD & CEO, NCDEX, said, “With the launch of Hi-Pro Soybean Meal contract, we have achieved a key milestone of having all the major tradeable products in Soybean complex on our derivatives platform. There is no doubt that the contract will replicate the success we have achieved in Soybean and Refined Soy Oil futures contracts.”
“India’s resurgence in the quality-sensitive Asian and European Soybean meal markets, as reflected in the recent spurt in exports, raises the need for domestic producers and exporters to have a proper risk management tool in local currency. I am confident this contract will serve the purpose across the Soybean value chain,” Vijay Kumar said.
According to the trade body SOPA’s estimate, India’s soymeal exports have increased nearly six-fold to 3.36 lakh MT in January 2021 from 58,000 MT in January last year. Indonesia, France and Germany were among the top buyers of India’s non-GMO Soybean Meal.
Hi-Pro Soybean Meal, as the name suggests, is an animal feed with high protein content of 50 percent or more as compared with around 46 percent in normal Soymeal. The contract will have a trading and delivery unit of 10 MT.
“India’s importance in the world food and feed market is on the rise. Our launch of Hi-Pro Soybean Meal contract coincides with the buoyancy in India’s Soymeal exports. The contract will serve the Soybean processing industry as the most cost-effective tool to manage their price risks in local currency in the extremely volatile domestic and international markets,” Kapil Dev, EVP Head of Business & Products, NCDEX said.
Soybean is the largest-produced edible oilseed in India accounting for around 35 percent of the country’s 30-million-metric tonne oilseed basket. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are the top three producing states of the Soybean. Crushing of the oilseed gives 80 percent to 82 percent of the meal and rest is the oil.
Indian Soymeal commands a premium varying from $25-$50 per Metric Tonne over South American peers due to the use of non-genetically modified seed.
NCDEX already has Soybean, Refined Soybean Oil futures contracts in its portfolio and the launch of Hi-Pro Soybean Meal will complete the bouquet of Soy complex.
