Fuel-Linked Price Rises Hit Ethiopia Ahead of Orthodox Easter
Ethiopia’s grocery market is feeling a sharp price shock as fuel shortages tied to Middle‑East conflict raise transport costs dramatically. Freight charges have surged from 70,000 birr ($450) to over 250,000 birr ($1,600), delaying shipments and spoiling perishable produce. Onion prices in Addis Ababa have jumped to about 100 birr ($0.64) per kilogram, while livestock transport costs have tripled, pushing ox prices up 40 percent. The timing coincides with Orthodox Easter, amplifying demand for meat and further straining household budgets.
Aluminum Hits 4-Year High on Trump’s Blockade of Hormuz
Aluminum prices surged to a four‑year peak on the London Metal Exchange, reaching $3,570 a ton after President Donald Trump announced a blockade of Iranian ports. The spot‑cash spread widened to $95.50 a ton, the strongest backwardation since 2007, reflecting...
Chinese Miner Boosts Rare Earth Prices
China Northern Rare Earth Group, the world’s largest producer of light rare earths, announced a sharp increase in concentrate prices for the second quarter of 2026. The company lifted prices for 50% rare earth oxide concentrates, signaling tighter supply in...
Spring Cleaning. Ag Marketing Report 04/13/2026
The latest Ag Marketing Report shows a mixed week across commodities. Corn futures slipped 11.25 cents as planting lagged, while wheat fell 25‑35 cents amid a weaker condition rating. Soybeans rose 12.25 cents, with bean oil posting a record net‑long position, and cotton...
Oil Price Tops $100 a Barrel as US Prepares Strait of Hormuz Blockade; Goldman Sachs Posts Rise in Profits –...
Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel, with Brent trading at $102.31 as the United States prepared a naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman amid the Iran‑Israel conflict. Goldman Sachs reported a 48% jump in investment‑banking fees, posting Q1...
Pre-Markets Down as U.S. Sets Blockade at Hormuz
U.S. forces announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices sharply higher and casting a geopolitical shadow over the opening bell. WTI crude rose to $104 a barrel and Brent to $102, while major equity indexes opened...
India Rises as China Slows in Mineral Demand Shift
Vale is accelerating iron ore shipments to India as the country’s steel production is projected to double by 2030, signaling a pivot away from China’s once‑dominant demand base. Chinese steel output has plateaued around 1 billion tonnes, while India’s broader industrial...
India Piles Up Export Tax on Diesel, Jet Fuel
India has more than doubled its export duty on diesel to 55.5 rupees (≈ $0.60) per litre, up from 21.5 rupees, and raised jet‑fuel export duty to 42 rupees (≈ $0.45) per litre from 29.5 rupees. The measures are intended to shore...
War in Iran: Fertilizer Sector Warns of Lasting Supply Risk
A two‑week U.S.–Iran ceasefire will temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for roughly 30% of global fertilizer trade and 20% of natural‑gas flows. The closure has already forced several Gulf fertilizer plants offline, tightening worldwide supply and...
Albanian Tomato Prices Rise to US$8.40 per Kg
Albania’s tomato market has seen a sharp price surge, with cherry tomatoes reaching $8.40 per kilogram and standard varieties climbing to $3.70‑$4.65 per kilogram. The increase follows flood‑induced damage to greenhouse areas, reduced planting acreage, and higher input costs, which...
FAO: Protracted Strait of Hormuz Crisis Could Turn Into Global Agrifood Catastrophe
The FAO warned that a prolonged crisis in the Strait of Hormuz could halt shipments of essential agricultural inputs, sparking a surge in food‑price inflation comparable to the COVID‑19 shock. About 20‑45% of global fertilizer and energy imports travel through...
CoBank Commodity Report Flags Rising Input Cost Pressures
CoBank’s latest Knowledge Exchange report warns that soaring diesel and fertilizer costs are outpacing gains in grain prices, tightening budgets for U.S. farmers and rural businesses. Diesel spikes could add roughly $2,000 per farmer, while fertilizer inputs have risen 20‑40%...
Energy Prices Have Probably Peaked. What that Means for Stocks, According to Morgan Stanley’s Mike Wilson.
Morgan Stanley’s chief U.S. equity strategist Mike Wilson says the Brent‑WTI spread has likely peaked, signaling the end of the recent oil price spike driven by the Iran‑Hormuz tension. The spread fell from a March high of $13.96 to a...
Asian LNG Imports Plummet to Six-Year Low on Middle East Crisis
Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports have slumped to the lowest level since June 2020, with the 30‑day moving average falling below 600,000 tons. The decline follows the escalation of the Middle East conflict, which has cut roughly 20% of global LNG...
Animal Protein Prices Trend Firmer Across Multiple Regions
Animal protein markets showed mixed firmness across regions in the week to April 9. In Australia, feathermeal export prices dropped to A$720‑740/tonne (≈$508‑$522), while domestic poultry meal edged higher, and New Zealand’s meat‑and‑bone‑meal (MBM) rose modestly. Brazil’s MBM prices hovered around 1.80 Reais/kg...
Here’s How Investors Can Position Themselves in the Face of Head-Spinning Swings in Oil Prices
Oil markets have swung wildly since the Middle East conflict escalated, with prices spiking after the Strait of Hormuz shutdown and falling sharply on cease‑fire rumors. Investors who chased the rally as a one‑way trade suffered rapid drawdowns, while those...
Oil Prices Rise as Failed Deal Between U.S. and Iran Raises Risk of Prolonged War
Oil prices surged above $100 per barrel on Monday after the United States and Iran failed to reach a deal in 21 hours of negotiations. West Texas Intermediate May futures jumped 8% to $104.39, while Brent June contracts rose to...
Dutch Pig Slaughter Falls by 780K in Five Years
Dutch pork processors reported a 7.4% year‑on‑year drop in slaughter, with 3,733,125 pigs processed up to week 14 of Q2 2026 – about 300,000 fewer than a year earlier. The decline reflects a five‑year fall of roughly 780,000 pigs, pushing the national...
China, the Iran War and the Chemical Suddenly Stoking Global Supply Fears
China announced an abrupt halt to sulphuric acid exports, a key input for fertilizer and mining industries worldwide. The decision coincides with renewed tensions in the Iran‑U.S. conflict, where failed peace talks have heightened geopolitical risk. Analysts warn that reduced...
Gold Prices Come Under Pressure After the First Round of US-Iran Talks Fail. What's Next?
Gold opened lower after the first round of US‑Iran negotiations collapsed, pulling the metal below the $4,800 per ounce mark. The breakdown heightened geopolitical risk, especially as President Trump reaffirmed a blockade of Iranian ports, keeping war‑risk premiums elevated. Meanwhile,...
India's March Palm Oil Imports Fall 19% to Three-Month Low
India’s palm oil imports slumped 19% in March, falling to 689,462 metric tons—the lowest level since December 2025. The decline was driven by a rally in global tropical oil prices that prompted domestic refiners to delay purchases. Overall edible‑oil imports...
VLCC Newbuild Bonanza Smashes Two-Decade-Old Annual Record in Just Six Months
VLCC newbuilding orders in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 have already eclipsed the previous record annual total, with an estimated 125 vessels ordered—surpassing the 108 set in 2006. The orderbook‑to‑fleet ratio surged from 10%...
Feeder Cattle Market: Heavy Cattle Weighing Down Northern Prices
Feeder cattle prices slipped this week as a weakening cyclone moved into northern Queensland and southern regions faced their first cold snap. Flat‑back steers on the Darling Downs fell to 450‑470 c/kg, a 10 c drop, while Angus steers stayed steady around...
Trump’s Strait of Hormuz Blockade Risks New Costs for the Global Economy
President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that the U.S. Navy will begin a blockade of all vessels entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carries roughly one‑fifth of global oil and gas. Iran has effectively shut...
Pakistan SOP Producers Cut Rates on Sulphur Shortage
Pakistan's Mannheim SOP producers have slashed run rates to 50‑75% from the usual 80‑90% as Iranian sulphur supplies tighten amid the US‑Iran conflict. Imported sulphur prices have surged to $750‑$780 per ton, pushing domestic sulphuric acid costs to $1,077 per...
Decision to Launch of Antimony Trioxide 99.5% Sb2O3 Min, Exw China Price Assessment: Pricing Notice
Fastmarkets announced the launch of a new price assessment for antimony trioxide (99.5% Sb2O3 min) on an ex‑works China basis, effective April 17, 2026. The assessment follows a one‑month consultation and adds a domestic Chinese price indicator to its industrial...
Despite Subsidies, Diesel Price Is Affecting Malaysian Hauliers – Credit Limits Are Being Exhausted Earlier
Malaysian hauliers are feeling the strain of a sharp diesel price surge, which climbed from RM3.12 (≈$0.69) per litre in early March to RM6.72 (≈$1.48) per litre this week. Although the government’s fuel subsidy cushions end‑consumer prices, credit limits with...
Why Imports Won’t Fix Canada’s Beef Price Problem
The Canadian Cattle Association has petitioned Ottawa to limit beef imports as Mercosur trade talks advance, warning that cheaper South American beef could flood the market. Canadian beef prices have risen about 13‑14% year‑over‑year and sit roughly 40% above their...
Diesel Export Tax Hike May Align Prices of State OMCs, Private Comapnies
India raised its diesel export duty to $95 per barrel, up from $37, prompting a sharp narrowing of the pricing gap between state‑run oil marketing companies (OMCs) and private refiners. OMCs, which dominate about 90% of the domestic fuel retail...
Asian LNG Prices Set to Rise as US Threatens to Block Hormuz
Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices are poised to climb after the United States announced a naval blockade of all vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports. The move follows stalled peace talks between Washington and Tehran and targets only...
Trump’s Hormuz Blockade Risks Piling Pain on Asia Allies, China
President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, restricting vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports starting 10 am NY time on April 13. The move sent Brent crude up 8.6% to over $103 a barrel and spiked European gas...
U.S. LNG Exports Soar to Record Levels
U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports surged to a record 11.7 million metric tons in March 2026, driven by panic buying after missile and drone attacks on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City. Louisiana’s export terminals handled 1.8 million more tons than a year...
Why Gasoline Prices Don't Fall as Quickly as Crude
U.S. gasoline prices remain elevated despite recent softening in crude oil markets. Drivers across the country are paying around $5 per gallon, with California often exceeding $6. The lag is driven by refinery margins, seasonal demand, and logistical constraints. Even...
IMF Director Says Shock From US-Iran War Is Already 'Baked' Into the Economy
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told CBS that the economic fallout from the U.S.-Iran war is already "baked" into global markets. She highlighted disruptions to oil tankers, Gulf energy infrastructure and attacks on Qatari gas fields as sources...
U.S. Loans 8.5 MMbbl From SPR in Second Release Amid Iran War
The U.S. Department of Energy has loaned 8.48 million barrels of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Gunvor USA, Phillips 66, Trafigura Trading and Macquarie Commodities Trading, marking the second emergency release aimed at cushioning oil markets amid the Iran conflict....
Gold Tumbles as US Blockade of Hormuz Raises Inflationary Risks
Gold prices plunged 2.2% on Monday, slipping below $4,650 an ounce after the United States announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The move triggered a sharp rise in oil and natural‑gas prices, pushing the Bloomberg Dollar Spot...
Price Tracker: Oil, Fuel Monitor for Apr. 13
The Philippine Department of Energy announced a sharp rollback of retail fuel prices for the week of April 14‑20, 2026. Diesel is set to fall by ₱20.89 per litre (about $0.38), gasoline by ₱4.43 ($0.08) and kerosene by ₱8.50 ($0.15)....
Oil Prices Rise After the US Says It Would Block Iranian Ports
The United States announced a blockade of Iranian ports starting Monday, sending U.S. crude up 8% to $104.24 per barrel and Brent 7% to $102.29. The move follows Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20%...
Stock-Market Futures Drop, Oil Surges Above $100 After Failed Talks Betwe...
U.S. and Iran failed to reach an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz, prompting President Donald Trump to threaten a naval blockade. Oil prices rebounded above $100 per barrel as the geopolitical risk premium widened. Futures on the Dow, S&P 500...
'Out of Control' Diesel Prices Threaten Australia's Crucial Freight Industry
Australian freight operators are grappling with a diesel price surge that has more than doubled since the Iran conflict, pushing the national average to A$3.13 per litre (≈US$2.07). Owner‑operator Aaron Fischer now spends about A$300,000 (≈US$200,000) a month on fuel,...
Stocks and Bonds Fall With Brent Back Above $100: Markets Wrap
President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after US‑Iran peace talks stalled, sending oil prices soaring. Brent crude jumped 6.8% to just above $102 a barrel, the first time since early 2025. The rally in...
How the Iran War Is Disrupting Gulf Economies: 5 Key Effects
The Iran‑U.S./Israel war has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, cutting global oil flows by roughly 8 million barrels per day and driving war‑risk insurance premiums up to 1,000 %. Gulf Cooperation Council economies are confronting steep GDP declines—up to 14 % in...
Ahead of Russian Gas Ban, Europe Buys Almost All Cargoes From Yamal LNG
Europe bought 97 percent of Yamal LNG cargoes in Q1 2026, receiving 69 of 71 shipments, amounting to 5.07 million tons and $3.33 billion in payments. The bloc’s dependence on Russian gas has surged, with over $230 billion spent on Russian oil and gas imports...
Trump Pitches Iran Blockade as Boon to U.S. Oil
President Trump used the Iran‑related Strait of Hormuz blockade as a sales pitch, urging nations—especially China—to buy more U.S. oil. He claimed empty tankers were heading to American ports, but the United States exports only about 3.5‑4.5 million barrels of crude...
Chinese Rare Earth Producer Hikes Q2 Price by 44%
China Northern Rare Earth Group announced a Q2 2026 concentrate price of 38,804 yuan ($5,390) per tonne, a 44.6% jump from the first quarter and more than double the level a year earlier. The price is tied to a formula that...
Colombia’s Energy Crisis Deepens as Oil Output Falls and Imports Rise
Colombia’s oil production slipped to 734,924 barrels per day in February, a 2.7% year‑over‑year decline and the lowest level since July 2021. Natural‑gas output also fell, pushing imports to roughly 20% of total consumption, up from under 4% a year earlier....
Zamboanga City Sardine Industry Appeals for Help
The sardine industry in Zamboanga City, which provides roughly 80% of the Philippines' fishery output, is pleading for government aid as soaring fuel prices have slashed fishing trips and strained canning operations. Seventeen local canneries now burn about 5.5 million liters...
Oil Futures up 7% on Hyperliquid as Trump Orders Naval Blockade of Hormuz
Oil futures surged on the decentralized Hyperliquid exchange after President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global petroleum shipments. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) contracts jumped 7% to $96.40, while Brent rose...
India Likely to Import 20.82 Million Tonnes of LPG in FY27
India’s Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell projects LPG consumption of 34.69 million tonnes in FY27, a 4.5% year‑on‑year rise. To meet this demand, the country is expected to import about 20.82 million tonnes, representing roughly 60% of total use. Imports are heavily...
Coal Imports Fall 8.5% in February Amid High Stockpiles, Firm Global Prices
India’s coal imports dropped 8.5% in February, reaching 16.55 million tonnes, as record domestic stockpiles and firm seaborne prices curbed demand. Non‑coking coal fell to 9.80 MT, while coking coal rose slightly to 3.92 MT. Domestic production rose 4.98% to 1,047.5 MT, keeping power‑plant...