Rising Petrol Prices Spell Chaos for Thailand's Farmers – Video
Thai rice farmers are confronting a sudden spike in petrol prices as the US‑Israel war against Iran disrupts Middle‑East oil supplies. The price increase adds roughly $0.30 per litre to diesel costs, eroding already thin profit margins. Thailand, which imports about 80% of its fuel, may see rice yields fall 5‑10% if fuel costs remain high. The government is weighing emergency subsidies to cushion the agricultural sector.
Softs Report 03/27/2026
The Softs Report highlights heightened volatility across cotton, orange juice, coffee, sugar and cocoa as the US‑Iran conflict and extreme weather reshape supply dynamics. Cotton prices stay pressured by hot, dry conditions in Texas and rising input costs linked to...
Will Gold Hit $6,000 This Year? Top 3 Predictions About Gold Prices.
Gold prices have surged past $4,700 per ounce as of April 8, 2024, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions and persistent inflation. Analysts note a 64 % price increase in 2025 and point to central‑bank buying as a catalyst for further gains. JPMorgan...
Average UK Petrol Price Hits 150p for First Time Since 2024; Trump’s Latest Iran Extension Fails to Calm Oil Market...
UK average petrol price reached 150.11 pence per litre (≈£1.50/$1.88), with diesel at 177.68 pence (≈£1.78/$2.22), the highest levels since May 2024. The surge, tied to the Iran‑Israel conflict and rising crude, is inflating motorists’ travel costs and feeding broader inflation worries. At...
Gold, Silver Prices Crash up to 27% in a Month Amid US-Iran War: Is the Bull Run in Bullion Market...
Gold has slumped 16% and silver 27% over the past month, despite heightened US‑Iran tensions. The drop stems from liquidity squeezes and waning expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, which have lifted the dollar and real yields. Analysts note the...
ICE Registers Record Trading Activity Across Its Global Derivatives Markets
Intercontinental Exchange reported record trading activity across its global derivatives markets and NYSE equities in March 2026, driven by heightened Middle‑East geopolitical risk. Open interest hit all‑time highs, including 76.8 million commodity contracts and a total of 125.4 million futures and options...
What’s Driving the Global Dairy Boom?
The global dairy market hit a record‑high in 2025 as milk production surged across every major region, driven largely by unprecedented growth in the United States. U.S. herd size swelled to roughly 9.6 million cows, supporting a 2 % annual increase in...
Gold Prices Bounce Back After Morning Drop
Vietnam's Saigon Jewelry Company saw its gold‑bar price rebound 0.59% to VND 171.6 million (≈$6,517) per tael after a morning dip, while gold‑ring prices also edged higher. Globally, spot gold surged 2% to $4,466 per ounce, driven by a softer U.S. dollar...
Barry FitzGerald: Looking for Upside in the Oil Crisis? Find It in ASX Lithium Stocks
A surge in petrol and diesel prices caused by the Strait of Hormuz blockade is creating a tailwind for lithium demand, especially from electric‑vehicle (EV) buyers seeking to avoid record fuel costs. Macquarie’s research now expects the global lithium market...
China Solar Cell Prices Fall for Third Consecutive Week as Upstream Costs Ease
China's TOPCon M10 solar cell prices slipped for a third week, falling 0.36% to $0.0558 per watt as polysilicon and wafer costs eased. N‑type M10 wafer prices dropped 3.92% to $0.147 each, reflecting broader upstream price pressure. Production in January‑February...
Gold Digger: Is Gold Losing Its Cool?
Gold’s spot price has slumped 17.5% to $4,456 per ounce, pushing the metal into a technical bear market after peaking at $5,405 in January. The broader miner index (GDX) has underperformed even more, falling 28.9% since the Iran conflict began,...
Electricity Spot Market Also Reels From Price Shock
The Philippines' Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) will be suspended as spot power prices are projected to hit P9 per kilowatt‑hour (about $0.16), more than double February's average of P3.50 ($0.06). The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered the shutdown to...
Spike in LPG Prices May Hit Record High of P30/Kg
The LPG market in the Philippines is set to see a record price jump, with the industry association warning that per‑kilogram rates could rise by P30 (about $0.55) as early as March 28, followed by an additional P10 ($0.18) on April 1....
Singapore Ramps up Push to Become Asia-Pacific’s Gold Trading Hub Amid Rising Investor Demand
Singapore is accelerating its bid to become the Asia‑Pacific gold‑trading hub, with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Singapore Bullion Market Association (SBMA) outlining four strategic focus areas: capital‑market products, vaulting standards, a dedicated clearing system, and vault...
WA’s CSBP Opens up on Fertiliser in Trying Times
CSBP, a major Western Australian fertilizer supplier, warned that the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is severely curtailing urea imports, a key nitrogen source for growers. To offset the shortfall, the company has accelerated domestic production of ammonium...
Oil Surges to $106, Stocks Fall Amid West Asia War Doubts and Rate Hike Fears
Oil prices jumped to $106 a barrel, spurring global market declines. Iran's denial of any talks with the United States heightened doubts about a swift cease‑fire in the ongoing West Asia conflict. European stocks and bonds fell as ECB President...
Daily Market Wire 27 March 2026
Severe drought across the U.S. Hard Red Winter wheat belt has driven Chicago July wheat up 7.25 cents to $6.30 per bushel, with CFTC data showing the largest ever gross long and a near‑record gross short position. Export sales surged to...
Diesel Prices Rising Faster than Petrol, up 28 Cpl Across the Largest Cities in Last Week
Retail diesel prices jumped 10% in the week to 25 March, rising 27.8 cents per litre to 303.5 cpl across Australia’s five largest cities, while petrol increased 8% to 252.2 cpl. The surge mirrors a 17% rise in the Singapore Gasoil 10 ppm benchmark, compared...
UBS Has a Message on Oil Price and the Economy
Oil prices are climbing amid the Iran‑Houthi conflict, reviving 1970s‑style headlines. UBS economist Arend Kapteyn argues that today’s economies are far less oil‑intensive, with oil spending representing a fraction of GDP. In the United States, oil’s share of GDP has...
Call for Measures to Restrain Fuel Price Hikes
The Thai Chamber of Commerce is urging the government to curb a recent 6 baht (~$0.16) per‑litre fuel price increase, warning it will raise production, logistics and consumer costs. It calls for securing sufficient crude‑oil supplies, even at premiums above global...
This Map Shows a Crude Ticking Time Bomb that Hits Much of the World’s Oil Supply in April
J.P. Morgan warns that recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz will trigger a cascading oil‑supply shock throughout April. The last tanker left the strait on Feb. 28, coinciding with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and traffic has been largely...
Chris Uhlmann Fronts SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA Deep Dive on Fuel Crisis
Sky News Australia will broadcast a one‑hour special titled "Australia’s Fuel Crisis" on Sunday 29 March at 7:30 pm AEDT, hosted by veteran journalist Chris Uhlmann. The program will dissect soaring fuel prices, shrinking emergency stockpiles, global geopolitical instability and long‑term...
Strait of Hormuz Shutdown Raises Risks to Japan's Aluminum Supply
The Strait of Hormuz shutdown threatens Japan’s aluminum supply chain, as the country imports roughly 20% of its metal from the Middle East. The closure disrupts shipments of primary ingots that feed industries ranging from beverage cans to bullet‑train components....
Persian Gulf Fertilizer Crisis: Global Food Prices Could Rise 12-18% by the End of 2026, Warns Helios AI
Helios AI warns that if the Persian Gulf conflict ends tomorrow, global food prices could climb 12‑18% above pre‑crisis levels by the end of 2026 and rise further in early 2027. The startup’s model flags three sequential shocks: soaring fuel...
US Natgas Storage Falls by 54 Bcf
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a 54 billion‑cubic‑foot (Bcf) draw in natural‑gas inventories for the week ending March 20. Net working gas fell to 1,829 Bcf, tightening the supply balance ahead of the summer heating season. The draw reflects higher demand from...
Is This Time Different? The Macro Signals Driving Renewed Gold Interest
Gold has surged roughly 50% over the past year, dramatically outpacing the S&P 500’s 14.5% gain. The rally is driven by rising inflation, higher oil prices and heightened geopolitical risk, especially the Strait of Hormuz tension. Federal Reserve rate hikes...
Oil Prices Rise as Wall Street Swings to Doubt on Iran Talks
Oil prices jumped on March 26 as Brent crude rose 4.8% to $101.94 a barrel, driven by renewed doubts over the Iran‑U.S. cease‑fire talks and heightened tension in the Strait of Hormuz. The rally pushed the S&P 500 down 1.2%, the Dow...
Oil Price Surge Is Hurting African Economies: Scholars in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa Take Stock
Oil prices surged above $100 a barrel after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, prompting Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of global oil. The disruption has sent fuel costs soaring across Africa, prompting...
Belt-Tightening Mode
The Philippines is entering a belt‑tightening phase as a four‑week‑old Middle East conflict drives global oil prices higher, eroding the peso and inflating consumer costs. A temporary suspension of petroleum excise taxes will cut government revenue by roughly $2.5 billion, potentially...
Ordanes Rues Outrageous Diesel Prices in the Philippines, Calls for Probe
Senior Citizens Party‑list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes urged the Philippine House to investigate a sharp diesel price surge that has pushed pump rates above P100 per liter (≈$1.80), the highest increase among Asian nations. He blamed limited refinery capacity and alleged profiteering...
Chilli Oleoresin Poised to Fall as Producers Shift to Turmeric on Demand for Natural Curcumin
Indian oleoresin producers are cutting chilli extraction as prices double and carry‑over stocks swell, while turning to turmeric to meet rising demand for natural curcumin. China’s entry into the chilli oleoresin market has driven global prices lower, making Indian chilli...
Letters to Editor
The letters to the editor flag four pressing issues for India. A halted Russian oil import and the Hormuz Strait closure have strained the country’s energy supply, prompting calls for domestic gas, electric‑vehicle adoption, solar power and local oil extraction....
Middle Eastern Conflict Compounding Already Volatile Fertilizer Markets
U.S. farmers are confronting a new wave of fertilizer cost pressure as the Middle Eastern conflict has shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for sulfur imports. The disruption threatens sulfur supplies essential for producing sulfuric acid, a core...
Some States Consider Tax Holidays as Gas Prices Continue to Rise
U.S. gasoline prices climbed to a national average of $3.96 per gallon, up from $3.72 a week earlier, prompting several states to weigh temporary gas tax holidays. Georgia has already suspended its fuel tax, while California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland and...
Green Steel Demand: Which Sectors Will Lead the Transition in Europe?
European green‑steel demand remains concentrated in a few high‑impact sectors, with the automotive industry driving most of the growth. By 2035, automotive purchases are projected to account for roughly one‑third of the continent’s low‑carbon steel, while construction’s share slips from...
India’s Cotton Imports Surge in 2025 as Lower Global Prices Drive Buying Spree
India’s cotton imports jumped 130% in volume and 92.5% in value in 2025, driven by a steep fall in global cotton prices. Lower import prices prompted textile manufacturers to increase purchases, seeking cost savings and higher quality raw material. Brazil...
RANKED: World’s Top 20 Largest Gold Mines
The latest ranking of the world’s 20 largest gold mines shows Nevada Gold Mines retaining the top spot with 2,595 koz in 2025, while production at several sites shifted dramatically amid market volatility. Gold prices surged to a record $5,600 per...
Fertiliser Price Surge Due to Iran War Coincides with US Planting Season
The renewed Iran war has disrupted urea and ammonium nitrate production, slashing exports and driving global fertilizer prices up roughly 30 percent. The price surge coincides with the critical U.S. planting window, adding $10‑$20 per acre to corn fertilizer costs....
The Iran War Is Hitting Every Node in the LNG Supply Chain
The ongoing war in Iran is disrupting every node of the regional liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chain, choking exports from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. With Gulf output curtailed, European and Asian buyers are forced to vie for...
Listen: Can Europeans Actually Reduce Our Gas Consumption?
European households are grappling with soaring energy bills as gas prices remain high. The EU forced an 18% cut in gas consumption after Russia's invasion, surpassing its target, and experts now urge a repeat of that mandate. Alternatives such as...
Barclays Sees 13–14 Million Bpd Oil Supply Loss From Prolonged Hormuz Disruption
Barclays estimates that a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz would remove 13‑14 million barrels per day from global oil supply, representing roughly 13% of projected 2026 demand. The bank warns that if the disruption extends into late April, Brent...
Fuel Shock Pushes Thai Fishery Close to Shutdown
A sharp rise in diesel to about 39 baht ($1.11) per litre—driven by the US‑Israeli war on Iran—has left more than half of Samut Sakhon’s trawlers idle and threatens to shut down Thailand’s multibillion‑dollar fishing sector within days. Thailand exports roughly...
ConocoPhillips CEO Warns Supply Losses, Infrastructure Gaps Will Drive Higher Oil Prices
ConocoPhillips Chairman and CEO Ryan Lance warned that the removal of 8‑10 million barrels per day of oil and roughly 20% of global LNG capacity is creating a tight market that will push oil prices higher. He said U.S. shale output...
Saudi Arabia Ramps Yanbu Exports Toward 5 MMbpd as Hormuz Disruption Forces Rerouting
Saudi Arabia is accelerating crude exports from its Yanbu Red Sea terminals, aiming for a 5 MMbpd target as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed by Iran. The East‑West pipeline linking Abqaiq to Yanbu can handle 7 MMbpd, but 2 MMbpd are...
Mixed Fortunes for DRC Minerals as Copper, Gold, and Tin Prices Decline While Tantalum Gains
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s weekly mineral price bulletin for March 23‑28 2026 shows a broad slide in several key exports, with copper falling to $12,718 per tonne and gold dropping to $164 per kilogram. Zinc, tin, silver and nickel also...
Production Cuts, Cost Pressures Cloud War-Driven Commodity Windfall
Indonesia is seeing a surge in coal and crude palm oil (CPO) prices as the US‑Israeli war on Iran pushes oil to about $100 a barrel, prompting countries to seek cheaper coal and bio‑fuel alternatives. Newcastle coal futures have climbed...
The Oil Price Shock Could Make Italian Ice More Expensive
The U.S.-led war in Iran has sent oil prices soaring, pushing gasoline costs for a heavy‑duty pickup in Houston from about $70 to $90 per tank. Phrostibe Italian Ice, a family‑run mobile vendor, is feeling the squeeze, redesigning delivery routes,...
Recent Geo Political Events Have an Impact on Food and Gas Prices
Economists note February CPI showed modest food price shifts—beef remains high while chicken and eggs fell. A new conflict with Iran has driven Texas gasoline up 90 cents, a 38% jump, foreshadowing higher March CPI. The war threatens the Strait...
How Much Will America’s Oilmen Benefit From the Iran War?
At CERA Week in Houston, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told U.S. oil executives that the ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict is likely to keep crude prices elevated, creating a favorable market for American shale producers. The war has already pushed Brent above $90...
Higher Moves in Soybeans, Corn, and Wheat
Soybean futures rose on fund buying and anticipation of the EPA's upcoming blending mandate announcement, buoyed by optimism from Middle East peace talks and a scheduled Trump‑China meeting. A recent Brazil‑China phytosanitary agreement is expected to smooth soybean shipments that...