A research on EWR (Electronic warehouse receipts) as a new investment tool and Çorum Commodity Exchange members

With the rapid increase in the global population, the corresponding rise in food and other needs makes it essential for the agricultural sector to undergo restructuring. The storage of agricultural products in the sector, ensuring their timely and systematic release to the market, is critical in meeting market demands. The licensed warehousing system is a structure that provides safe and healthy storage conditions for products suitable for long-term preservation according to quality standards, prevents supply accumulation during the harvest season, and creates suitable conditions for product trade. The Electronic Warehouse Receipt (EWR) is an electronic record generated within the system by the licensed warehouse operator, in compliance with electronic registration rules. By facilitating the sale of products through the warehouse receipt created at the time of storage, the need for physical transportation to the final consumer is eliminated, significantly reducing costs related to transportation and storage. Additionally, with improved financial access for agricultural products, a new investment instrument is introduced for prospective investors. The purpose of this study is to determine the perspectives of active members of the Çorum Commodity Exchange regarding the Turkish Mercantile Exchange (TMEX) and EWR. The data presented in the study was collected through survey methodology. As part of the study, a survey was conducted with 434 members of the Çorum Commodity Exchange, with responses obtained from 93 members. Of the survey participants, 51.6% stated that they had sufficient knowledge about TMEX and EWR, while 63 participants, or 66.7%, were members of the TMEX platform. The number of members who conducted transactions via the TMEX platform was 50. Wheat and barley were identified as the most commonly traded products in EWR transactions. Although the majority of respondents engaged in EWR transactions for product procurement purposes, the proportion of transactions carried out as investments was also substantial. Most of the respondents who traded EWR as an investment instrument reported that they had either achieved the expected returns or had partially met their expected returns. This indicates that EWR has garnered some interest as an investment tool. Key Terms: Licensed Warehousing, TMEX, EWR Science Code:115303