The present research analysed the behavior of the soybean farmer of Maracaju-MS, Brazil in relation to price risk and use of agricultural derivatives, seeking to identify the price protection mechanisms used and the reasons for their use or rejection. A questionnaire was applied to a sample of soybean farmers. Also, representatives of trading houses, storage plants, cooperatives, brokers and financial agents were interviewed. Results showed that the use of price protection tools is still scarce, as only 11% of farmers use future market price (hedge) and the options market, and 38% have used them before. The main mechanism used is the forward market. Farmers who already have used futures market (hedge) and options manage medium and large properties, have a high level of education and are better capitalized. The low use of derivatives (futures and options) is mainly due to the lack of both knowledge and trustful professionals to guide farmers in such task.
risk profile of farmers; futures market; options market
