Know What's Happening in Commodities
Know What's Happening in Commodities
OPEC+ agrees modest oil quota increase amid Middle East war
OPEC+ members agreed in principle to raise production quotas for May by roughly 206,000 barrels per day, a symbolic adjustment as the war constrains output and shipments. Saudi Arabia and Russia led the video‑conference decision, signaling alliance cohesion despite the geopolitical shock.
The Trump administration will deploy DARPA’s Open Price Exploration for National Security (OPEN) AI system to establish reference prices for critical minerals, starting with germanium, gallium, antimony and tungsten. The tool calculates fair values by stripping out alleged Chinese market manipulation and factoring labor and processing costs. Data from S&P Global and Finnish firm Rovjok will feed the model, which Vice President JD Vance plans to anchor a tariff‑backed pricing regime discussed at a recent Critical Minerals Ministerial. The program will be handed to the nonprofit Critical Minerals Forum in 2025.
Russian oil drilling contracted 3.4% in 2025, marking the first decline since 2021, with a sharp 10% drop in the second half of the year. The slowdown is attributed to a weaker Urals crude price and a stronger ruble, which...
Australia’s Gorgon‑linked LNG exporter sent a cargo aboard the Maran Gas Hector to eastern Canada, covering roughly 16,000 miles – the longest route for Australian LNG to date. The move reflects a sharp slowdown in Asian demand, where shipments to...
China has stepped in to purchase Russian crude that India declined, pushing Russian oil exports to their highest levels in two years. The shift has concentrated buying power among a few Asian importers, driving the Urals‑grade discount to a multi‑year...
Botswana Diamonds announced it will rebrand as Botswana Minerals and adopt the ticker BMIN, reflecting a strategic pivot toward copper exploration. An AI‑driven analysis of its 95,000 sq km geological database uncovered 11 high‑potential copper targets, leading to eight new licences. The...
U.S. ELECTRICITY net generation at utility-scale facilities climbed to a record 4,430 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh or TWh) in 2025 up from 4,309 billion kWh in 2024. Nearly four-fifths of the increase came from non-fossil generators (+94 billion kWh) led by...
Nepal's soybean oil exports to India surged more than tenfold in 2025, reaching a record 694,153 metric tons and generating over $1 billion in revenue. The growth was driven by duty‑free access under the South Asian Free Trade Agreement, allowing Nepal...
In this episode, Clark Howard tackles two hot topics: when and how to buy or sell gold and silver as a hedge, and why simple, non‑brand‑name appliances often offer better value than pricey name‑brand models. He explains that precious metals...
Britain’s energy regulator announced that electricity bills will hit their lowest level in almost two years starting in April. The decline stems from a policy shift that moves a portion of renewable‑energy support costs from consumer bills onto general taxation....
Shell and Greece’s METLEN have signed an MoU to supply and trade up to 1 bcm of LNG annually from 2027 to 2031. Deliveries will flow through the Revithoussa and Alexandroupolis regasification terminals. The deal leverages the Vertical Gas Corridor to...
Ofgem announced a 7% cut to the UK energy price cap, lowering the typical annual household bill to £1,641 from April. The reduction translates to about £10 a month, or £117 per year, representing more than £200 savings compared with...
Fastmarkets announced a proposal to launch a new ex‑works China price for antimony trioxide (99.5% Sb2O3 min). The price, quoted in yuan per tonne, will be published weekly and targets a minimum 10‑tonne spot transaction. The consultation period runs from...
Standard Bank’s African Markets Conference highlighted a bullish outlook for gold, with its head of precious metals projecting the metal to finish the year above $6,000 per ounce and potentially reach $7,000‑$10,000 next year if interest rates keep falling. Attendees...
The episode reviews South Korea's energy commodities market, noting a modest dip in thermal coal prices and major tenders favoring Indonesian, Australian, and Canadian supplies while limiting Russian and Chinese coal. It highlights the government's push to cap Russian coal...
Copper is driving miners' profits But exposure is hard to scale unless prices stay high for years Profits are hard to maintain unless supply growth fails Mega-mergers failed because sellers wanted to be paid for the future scarcity now Usual good insights from @ClydeCommods...
U.S. shale + SPR barrels & China’s vast stockpiles will offset Iran oil disruptions, writes @ronbousso1 But shale doesn't surge on command & stockpiles are a short-lived buffer The most likely shock absorbers are a limited Iran conflict & China stepping...
Coal India has endorsed a phased rollout of the National Coal Exchange, aiming to move coal trading from traditional e‑auctions to a regulated electronic platform with market‑based price discovery. Executive Director V S Maharaj emphasized that reforms must be calibrated to protect...
The Australian government is closely tracking new iron‑ore pricing arrangements being trialled between Chinese buyers and major Australian producers. Companies such as Fortescue and Rio Tinto have begun using Fastmarkets, while BHP negotiates with China Mineral Resources Group over alternative...
Argentina’s Vaca Muerta looks great on paper, but it’s not the next Permian. Argentina’s fiscal mess, weak infrastructure, & massive capex needs are real barriers. Continental’s hype says as much about a fading Bakken play as it does about Vaca Muerta. https://t.co/SGzycaNHEd #Oil...
$2.55 Iowa average https://t.co/qKoxDrbRtX, but Senator Ernst promises to make up the difference compared to what you'll pay
LSB Industries reported a strong fourth‑quarter 2018, posting $94.7 million in revenue, a 31% year‑over‑year increase, and adjusted EBITDA of $23.3 million versus $1 million in the prior year. The improvement stemmed from higher fertilizer pricing, robust ammonia and UAN volumes, and plant...
Wow: @EIAgov data show the US states that produced >100% of their grid+behind-the-meter electricity demand with WindWaterSolar in 2025 had among the lowest electricity prices 2 states supplied over 100% and 14 states supplied 50-124% of demand with WWS https://t.co/KP3uii4BqI https://t.co/Ctxu1cCI4I
Higher #lithium prices don’t have the power to make low quality lithium assets good investments. Be careful out there. https://t.co/BDwn05D4Fc
Global renewable‑energy investment hit a record $386 billion in 2025, driven by offshore wind and small‑scale solar in emerging markets. In the United States, clean‑energy funding slumped sharply in Q4, falling 36 percent after the Biden‑era EV tax credit was eliminated, resulting...
Uranium enrichment is running straight into a hard physical bottleneck Enrichment capacity, not reactors, is the constraint The US is still deeply dependent on Russian enrichment https://t.co/UzZh17Lcy5 #NuclearEnergy #Uranium #EnergySecurity #SupplyChains #EnergyTransition #Geopolitics
Oil industry won’t grow unless Brent gets up to ~$70 & stays there Below that, drilling dries up and investment stalls. https://t.co/GEUV5bEdMd #OilPrices #EnergyMarkets #Brent #Permian #Production #Capex #Commodities #OilIndustry #MarketSignals
Crude futures fell on Tuesday after Iran's foreign minister indicated a potential US‑Iran agreement on uranium enrichment could be reached in Geneva. The optimism trimmed the geopolitical risk premium, pushing WTI and Brent below $80 per barrel. Prices had been...
Canada’s largest gold producer Agnico Eagle announced an accelerated expansion of its Detour Lake mine and ongoing construction of the Upper Beaver project, aiming to boost output by up to 30% and exceed 4 million ounces by the early 2030s. The...
The global gas and LNG market entered a volatile phase in late February 2026, driven by tighter supply, rising spot prices, and shifting demand patterns across Europe and Asia. European winter demand outpaced supply, prompting higher contract renegotiations, while Asian...
Live cattle futures on the CME edged higher on Tuesday, with April contracts down $0.15 to $239.10 and June up $0.10 to $235.55, while feeder cattle prices rebounded sharply. Cash cattle trade remained muted, as bids and offers were not...
The Energy Information Administration released the February 24, 2026 natural‑gas spot price report, detailing volume‑weighted average prices for next‑day flow and weekend delivery. The data include both wellhead and delivered price composites, along with the day’s trading range, total gas volume, and...
Natural gas futures settled at $2.85 per MMBtu on Feb. 24, 2026, marking a 3% weekly gain. The rally was fueled by colder-than-expected temperature forecasts across the U.S. Midwest and a continuation of OPEC+ production cuts extending into 2027. Liquefied natural...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a 45‑day Request for Information to gather public input on improving its market data reporting. Farmers have voiced growing distrust, citing confusing acreage updates in the 2025 corn report and perceived gaps between supply...
$GOLD It looks the exact same as the last pullback before it pumped to new all time highs. https://t.co/bIrm4xXjAp
The European Union is reviewing its Arctic policy, and a tighter definition could unlock the Barents Sea’s estimated 22 trillion cubic feet of gas. Norway’s offshore fields could then supply 20‑30% of EU gas demand through 2050, offering a lower‑emission alternative...
"Trump’s Tariffs Are Adding Steel Mill Jobs, and Crushing American Factories" https://t.co/EdQKmnKPzv You guys will never believe this, but heavily taxing a vital manufacturing input isn't good for manufacturing. https://t.co/6IRvgAXzPH
U.S. pork cold‑storage rose 1 % year‑over‑year to 410.404 million pounds in February, driven by gains in butts and bone‑in hams despite a dip in overall pork production. Beef inventories fell 4 % YoY, pulling total red‑meat stocks 2 % below last year’s level....
NEW POST: I Saw the Sign for Base Metals https://t.co/Ts6jMvV3dF $AA $COPX $BHP $XME $FCX
EU sees the US easing impact of metals tariffs in the coming weeks https://t.co/qG2gkI6D64 via @AlbertoNardelli @europressos https://t.co/QmBgb5eFOv
The USDA reported that U.S. cold‑storage cheese inventories rose modestly in January, reaching 1.38 billion pounds, up from 1.37 billion pounds a year earlier. By contrast, butter stocks fell to 215.4 million pounds, down 45 million pounds from the same month last year but...
The Indian government has approved a limited export of 25 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and an additional five lakh tonnes of wheat products, despite the overall export ban remaining in force. The decision, taken in January and notified by...
Indonesia’s state oil company Pertamina and U.S. service firm Halliburton have signed an MOU to develop unconventional well construction and stimulation across onshore fields. The partnership will evaluate multi‑stage hydraulic fracturing, acid stimulation, advanced cementing and AI‑driven automation to improve...
Diamondback Energy says fears of a global oil glut are receding as resilient demand steadies the market. Recent price action shows U.S. crude futures up more than 15% year‑to‑date, erasing most of 2025’s 20% loss. The company will keep output...
Polish oil major ORLEN has bolstered its North Sea presence by acquiring a 7.6% interest in the Albuskjell and Vest Ekofisk fields, bringing its total stake in the Tommeliten Gamma field to 62.61%. The three assets, developed under the Previously Produced Fields...
Sunny & cold in Florida. How high will #lithium price go this cycle was the # 1 question. How real is the ESS boom was #2. Nice to see some optimism after a couple of lean years. https://t.co/KLtvzNOlxk
What's interesting about this is that the U.S. led the world in oil and natural gas production during the Biden Administration, too.
The Mediterranean gasoline market is diverging from northwest Europe as several key fluid catalytic cracker units undergo maintenance, notably Helleniq Energy’s Aspropyrgos refinery in Greece and Eni’s Milazzo refinery in Italy. With offshore capacity constrained, February‑March spreads have turned backwardated—a...
Poland’s ferrous scrap exports to non‑EU markets slipped 8.6% in 2025, falling to 1.204 million tonnes after three years of growth. Shipments to India, Pakistan and Morocco dropped sharply, while volumes to Turkey rose 2.4% and exports to the United States...
🇧🇷Second corn was 45% planted in Parana, Brazil as of Monday, well behind the year-ago pace of 64%. It reads above the five-year average for the date, but the five-year includes the dreadfully slow 2021 & 2023 campaigns. https://t.co/Bv10A7ILhk
Motiva announced a $0.50 per US‑gallon reduction to its Group II, II+ and III base‑oil postings, effective 1 March. The cut could translate into contract price declines of 10‑15¢/USG for parties linked to Motiva’s postings or to basket indices, while blenders with...
