Marketing year

Marketing year is a term used in agriculture and commodity markets to refer to the time period that begins with the harvest of a particular agricultural product and ends just before the beginning of the next year's harvest. This period is used for statistical purposes in the tracking of agricultural commodities.

Definition

The marketing year for agricultural commodities is not the same as a calendar year. Instead, it is defined by the harvest cycle of the specific commodity. For example, the marketing year for wheat in the United States begins on June 1 and ends on May 31 of the following year. This is because the wheat harvest typically begins in June.

Importance

The concept of a marketing year is important for several reasons. First, it allows for the tracking of agricultural commodities over a consistent time period that reflects the agricultural cycle. This makes it easier to compare data from year to year.

Second, the marketing year is used in the calculation of agricultural policy measures, such as price supports and quotas. These measures are often based on the amount of a commodity that is produced and sold during the marketing year.

Finally, the marketing year is used in the administration of international trade agreements. These agreements often include provisions that limit the amount of a commodity that can be imported or exported during a marketing year.

Variations

The start and end dates of the marketing year can vary depending on the commodity and the country. For example, the marketing year for corn in the United States begins on September 1, while the marketing year for soybeans begins on September 1 in the United States and on March 1 in Brazil.

See also

• Agricultural policy
• Commodity market
• International trade
• Harvest