Zhong Guo Zheng Quan Bao·2025-04-16 20:53Core Insights - Urea, known as "the food of food," is crucial for China's agricultural sector, with the country being the largest producer and consumer globally, accounting for over 30% of the world's production [1] - The volatility of urea prices has been significant, with annual fluctuations exceeding 40% from 2020 to 2024, impacting both agricultural enterprises and farmers [1] - The introduction of urea futures in August 2019 has provided a stabilizing mechanism for the industry, allowing companies to manage risks more effectively [1][2] Group 1: Small Enterprises - A small enterprise in Anhui, previously struggling with urea procurement, successfully reduced its total procurement cost by 72.7 yuan/ton through futures contracts, highlighting the transformative impact of financial instruments [2] - The successful hedging experience has empowered small enterprises to take control of their operations, shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach in managing costs [2][3] Group 2: Leading Enterprises - In 2024, urea prices experienced significant fluctuations, dropping from 2400 yuan/ton to 1600 yuan/ton, yet leading companies like Yuntu Holdings managed to stabilize their operations by locking in profits through futures [3] - Yuntu Holdings has established a comprehensive risk management system, utilizing futures for cost locking, production guidance, and profit stabilization [3][4] Group 3: Industry Transformation - The urea industry is undergoing a "basis revolution," with pricing now influenced by futures rather than regional markets, enhancing pricing efficiency and reducing negotiation conflicts [4][5] - The Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE) has been instrumental in supporting industry leaders and financial institutions to engage with the futures market, promoting the use of basis trading to stabilize prices and supply [5][6] - The collaboration between ZCE and industry players has led to a significant increase in the adoption of basis trading, improving the overall efficiency of the urea market [6]