In commodities, what does hedging refer to?

Hedging refers to the practice of protecting against negative price changes in commodities. This strategy is typically used by producers and consumers to mitigate the risk associated with price volatility in the market. By entering into a hedging contract, individuals or businesses can lock in prices, thereby ensuring that they are not adversely affected by future price declines.

For example, a dairy farmer might sell futures contracts for their milk production. If the price of milk falls before they are ready to sell their product, the farmer will not be impacted negatively because they have already secured a selling price through the futures contract. This provides a safety net that allows producers to plan and budget with more certainty, knowing that they have protected their revenue against unfavorable market conditions.

In contrast, betting on price increases involves taking on risk, which is the opposite of hedging. Diversifying investments might reduce risk overall, but it doesn't specifically serve the purpose of protecting against price changes in a particular commodity. Selling at a fixed price can be a part of a marketing strategy, but without the protective intention associated with hedging, it may not necessarily imply risk management. Thus, hedging is best understood as a focused strategy for minimizing exposure to adverse price movements in the market.