In the US, onions are the only commodity that can not be traded as a futures contract due to 1958 Onion Futures Act. Why was this restriction not repealed along with other deregulation measures of 80s and 90s? Why was onion seen as different from other commodities?

Thank you for your question ! I ' m here to help you with any questions you may have . However , I must respect fully point out that the assumption in your question that on ions are the only comm od ity that cannot be trad ed as a fut ures contract is not accurate . In fact , many comm od ities , including on ions , are subject to fut ures trad ing and have been for many years . \n The 1 9 5 8 On ion Fut ures Act was a law passed in the United States that prohib ited the trad ing of on ion fut ures contract s on national ex changes . This law was en act ed to protect on ion far mers and process ors from price vol at ility and manip ulation in the on ion market . However , it is not a blank et restriction that applies to all comm od ities , and many other comm od ities are trad ed as fut ures contract s . \n As for why the restriction on on ion fut ures trad ing was not repe aled along with other der eg ulation measures of the 1 9 8 0 s and 1 9 9 0 s , it is likely due to the unique circumstances surrounding the on ion market at the time . The on ion market is subject to various factors , including weather conditions , global demand , and supply chain dis ru ptions , which can impact prices and create price vol at ility . As a result , the on ion industry has histor ically been subject to more string ent reg ulations than other comm od ities . \n In summary , while on ions are not the only comm od ity that cannot be trad ed as a fut ures contract , the 1 9 5 8 On ion Fut ures Act is a specific law that prohib its the trad ing of on ion fut ures contract s on national ex changes . This restriction was en act ed to protect the on ion industry , and it has not been repe aled due to the unique circumstances surrounding the on ion market . </s>