Forward contracts play an important role in managing risks associated with international trade. When businesses engage in international trade, they are exposed to foreign exchange risk, which arises due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. This risk can be mitigated by using forward contracts to lock in the exchange rate at which a transaction will be conducted in the future. By using forward contracts, businesses can protect themselves from adverse exchange rate movements, which can impact their profitability and financial stability.

For example, suppose a US-based importer is expecting to receive a shipment of goods from a supplier in Japan in six months. The importer will have to pay the supplier in Japanese yen. However, the exchange rate between the US dollar and Japanese yen may fluctuate during the six-month period, which could have a significant impact on the cost of the goods in US dollars. To hedge against this risk, the importer can enter into a forward contract to buy Japanese yen at a predetermined exchange rate in six months. This locks in the cost of the goods in US dollars, allowing the importer to budget and plan for the transaction with greater certainty.