How China Killed Every Rare Earth Competitor
China has maintained its rare‑earth monopoly for over two decades by deliberately slashing prices whenever a Western firm attempts to develop independent processing capacity. The price‑undercutting destroys the economics of new projects, causing investors to pull back and companies to fold before they can compete. This tactic has kept China in control of roughly 80% of the global rare‑earth supply chain, reinforcing its strategic leverage over high‑tech industries worldwide.
Correction to European Wheat and CVB Wheat Forward Curve Premiums and Outright Prices for September 1st-October 3rd, 2025
Fastmarkets issued a correction for European wheat and CVB wheat forward curve premiums and outright prices covering the September 1 to October 3, 2025 period. The notice lists 14 affected symbols, including FOB contracts for France, Germany, the Baltic, Poland, and Black Sea...
Premium PV Module Prices Rise in Europe Despite Softer April Demand
European premium solar‑module prices kept climbing in April despite a dip in the PV Purchasing Managers’ Index, which fell to 66 from 68, signalling slower demand growth. TOPCon bifacial and monofacial modules rose 9% and 6% respectively, reaching €0.117/Wp ($0.13)...
Pakistan Shuns Spot LNG
Pakistan’s state‑owned LNG arm rejected an emergency spot‑market tender for two May cargoes, betting that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen and cheaper long‑term supplies from Qatar will arrive. The decision follows a cease‑fire in the US‑Iran conflict but comes...
Middle East Conflict Threatens DRC Copper and Cobalt Sector Amid Sulfuric Acid Shortage
China’s suspension of sulfuric acid exports amid heightened Middle East tensions is tightening a critical input for copper leaching worldwide. The disruption could shave up to 125,000 tonnes of copper output from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2026, while...
How Canada’s Oilpatch Is Reacting to a Generational Price Shock
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the US‑Israeli war with Iran have erased roughly a billion barrels of excess global oil inventory, driving prices to multi‑year highs. Canadian producers, such as Suncor, are enjoying windfalls but are only...
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FAO Food Price Index up for Third Consecutive Month Largely on Rising Vegetable Oil Prices
The FAO Food Price Index rose 1.6% in April, marking a third straight month of gains and a 2% increase over the previous year. The surge was driven primarily by a 5.9% jump in the vegetable oil index, its highest...
Iran Conflict Pushes Global Food Prices to Three-Year High
The United Nations’ food commodity index jumped 1.6% in April, reaching its highest level in over three years as the Iran‑Israel war disrupts supply chains. Prices for vegetable oils, meat and cereals drove the increase, with the meat index up...
Spanish Lettuce Dominates EU Markets
Spain continues to dominate the EU lettuce market, accounting for 50.5% of total sales in 2025 with 499.39 million kg exported, generating €690.34 million (≈ $753 million). The EU’s overall lettuce trade reached 988 million kg, valued at €1,578 million (≈ $1.72 billion), showing steady growth despite Brexit‑related statistical shifts....
Bill Seeks Moratorium on US Oil Exports
Democratic Representative Brad Sherman introduced the Stop Oil Exports to Lower Gas Prices Act, seeking a moratorium on U.S. crude, gasoline and diesel exports while the war with Iran continues. The bill aims to keep domestic supplies abundant, hoping to...
Explained: What Is the New ‘NACHO’ Trade, and How Is It Different From ‘TACO’
Wall Street has shifted its meme‑driven shorthand from “TACO” to “NACHO,” standing for “Not A Chance Hormuz Opens.” The new term emerged in late April as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, throttling more than 20% of daily global oil...
Middle East Crisis: FAO Sounds Warning over Fertiliser Supplies
FAO Director‑General Qu Dongyu warned that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are creating a fertilizer shortage that will depress crop yields from late 2024 through 2027. The corridor handles 20‑45% of global agri‑input exports, and delays force farmers to...
Ships at L.A.'s Ports Face a Fuel Shock That's Shaking the Economy
Shipping fuel costs at Los Angeles and Long Beach ports have surged, with very low‑sulfur bunker prices jumping nearly 88% to $1,080 per metric ton since the Iran‑related conflict began. The spike has pushed fuel to about 25% of a...
Gold Gains As Dollar Dips Ahead Of Jobs Report
Gold prices climbed above $4,700 an ounce on Friday as the dollar index lingered around the 98 level, reflecting a softer greenback ahead of the U.S. non‑farm payrolls and upcoming CPI data. Spot gold jumped 0.7% to $4,721 per ounce,...
Fastmarkets Clarifies Inclusion of Government-Set Benchmark Pricing in Indonesia Nickel Ore Assessment
Fastmarkets clarified its pricing methodology for Indonesian nickel ore after the government revised the HPM benchmark formula. The new decree, effective April 15, raised the corrective factor for 1.6% nickel ore to 30%, added cobalt, iron and chromium, and switched...
Brent Oil Price Futures Understating Physical Market Stress
Analysts at BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, warn that Brent futures are masking acute physical‑market stress. The Dated Brent contract, which reflects prompt‑delivery crude, has surged above $130 per barrel, far outpacing the front‑month futures hovering near $98. A widening...
Food Prices Rise to Highest in Three Years on Iran War Costs
Global food‑commodity prices hit their highest level in over three years, with the UN food index rising 1.6% in April. The surge is driven by the Iran‑Israel conflict that has closed the Strait of Hormuz, choking diesel and fertilizer supplies....
IEA Chief, Canada Leaders Address Oil Market Turmoil Tied to Iran Conflict
International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and senior officials in Ottawa to address oil market turmoil linked to the Iran‑related conflict. The discussions centered on disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and...
Oil Liquidity Collapses as Traders Retreat Amid Iran Conflict Volatility
Liquidity in global oil markets has sharply thinned as escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz push traders to the sidelines, Bloomberg reports. Brent futures open interest fell to its lowest level since August, reflecting a...
EU Russian Arctic LNG Imports Hit $4.4bn Record Despite Sanctions Measures
EU imports of Russian Arctic Yamal LNG surged to a record 6.69 million metric tonnes in the first four months of 2026, a 17.2% increase from a year earlier. At current Dutch TTF prices, European buyers paid roughly $4.4 billion for the...
Europe’s Negative Electricity Price Hours Double in Q1 Amid Renewables Surpluses, Market Imbalances
EU‑27 day‑ahead power markets recorded 1,223 negative‑price hours in Q1 2026, more than double the 593 hours logged in Q1 2025. The surge was led by Spain (347 hours), Portugal (294 hours) and Greece (138 hours), while Nordic markets returned to zero...
China TOPCon Solar Cell Prices Stabilize as Holiday Lull Slows Trading
China's TOPCon solar cell prices held steady at $0.0486/W in early May, ending a streak of declines. The stability coincides with a week‑long Labor Day holiday that dampened trading activity. Upstream supply dynamics could pressure prices later in Q2 2026...
India Demand Subdued on Higher Prices, China Premiums Hold Firm
Gold demand in India weakened as higher spot prices prompted buyers to delay purchases, pushing April imports toward a 30‑year low of roughly 15 metric tons. Dealers offered discounts of up to $15 per ounce and premiums of $6 per ounce...
Philippines, Vietnam Agree on Fixed-Price Rice Deal Till April 2027
The Philippines and Vietnam have signed a fixed‑price rice trade mechanism delivering 1.5 million metric tons of Dai Thom 8 rice at $450 per ton through April 2027. The agreement was sealed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on the sidelines of...
Britain Can’t Afford Another Gas Price Shock – Nuclear Is the Answer, Says MP
Rising gas prices driven by Middle East instability are hitting UK households and businesses, reviving fears of another cost‑of‑living shock. MP Charlotte Nichols argues that accelerating new nuclear capacity is essential for energy security, climate goals, and protecting nature. The...
Dubbo Sale 7 May 2026: Young Cattle, Slaughter Cows Firmer in 6760 Head Yarding
The Dubbo cattle yard on May 7, 2026 featured 6,760 head, dominated by cows and weaner calves, with a modest selection of yearlings and finished steers/heifers. Prices for young cattle rose, with prime vealers and yearlings fetching AUD 380‑461 c/kg (≈ US $2.5‑3.0/kg). Feeder steers and...
Crude Oil Production Growth Prospects in 2027 Bright, Say Analysts
Analysts at BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, see a bullish outlook for crude oil production in 2027 despite short‑term supply constraints from the Iran conflict. They cite a favorable 2026 base effect, the potential unwinding of OPEC‑plus cuts totalling up...
Fastmarkets Proposes to Raise Frequency of Normalization Coefficient for Daily Iron Ore Indices: Pricing Notice
Fastmarkets has proposed moving the normalization coefficient for its Iron ore 61% Fe fines and 62% Fe fines CFR Qingdao indices from a monthly to a daily update cycle. The change is intended to better mirror rapid intra‑month price movements...
Protectionism Makes Everyone Poorer During Global Shocks
Recent global shocks—from the Iran war to Ukraine and the Strait of Hormuz—have prompted governments to impose trade restrictions that often spike prices and volatility. WTO monitoring shows that during the first two months of the Ukraine conflict, 53 trade...
Diesel, Kerosene Rollback Likely Next Week, Says DOE
The Philippine Department of Energy said a strong chance exists for diesel and kerosene price rollbacks next week, with diesel expected to fall about P9 (≈ $0.16) per litre and kerosene about P12 (≈ $0.22). Gasoline is projected to rise modestly by...
Monsters of Rock: Albemarle Rides Lithium Turnaround to Print Cash in March Quarter
Albemarle posted a 670% year‑over‑year profit surge in the March quarter, propelled by a dramatic rebound in lithium prices and higher production volumes. Spodumene prices have risen above $2,750 per tonne, with UBS forecasting a peak of $4,250 per tonne...
Oil Futures Rise After U.S., Iran Trade Fire; Stock Futures Quiet After Court Rejects Trump’s Tariffs
U.S. forces launched retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian targets after Navy vessels were attacked, pushing West Texas Intermediate crude up about 2% and lifting Brent prices. The geopolitical flare‑up came as a federal court rejected President Donald Trump’s latest tariff proposal,...
Oil Prices Rise After US and Iran Exchange Fire in Hormuz Strait
Oil prices rose on Friday in Asian markets after the United States and Iran exchanged fire in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military reported intercepting what it called unprovoked Iranian missiles, drones and small‑boat attacks and responded with...
Canada Leads Way Lower as Mild Forecasts Weigh on Spot Natural Gas Prices
Spot natural gas prices in Canada fell sharply this week as milder-than-expected temperature forecasts reduced demand outlooks. The Henry Hub‑linked Canadian price slipped to its lowest level in six months, trading around C$2.10 per MMBtu (≈US$1.55). Analysts attribute the drop...
Protein Powder Shortage Threatens America’s Biggest Food Craze
The U.S. protein market is facing a severe whey powder shortage as demand for protein‑fortified foods surges. Prices for standard whey have risen more than 50% since January, with 80% concentrate topping $11 per pound and isolates holding firm in...
Potential for ‘Super El Niño,’ Soaring LNG Demand Lift US Forward Natural Gas Prices
Forward natural gas prices in the United States are firming as forecasts of a strong El Niño raise expectations of record‑high temperatures. At the same time, growing global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is bolstering long‑term consumption outlooks, especially in...
Iran Reduces Oil Production by 400,000 Bpd, Further Cut Back Expected
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Iran has already cut oil output by about 400,000 barrels per day and may trim it further as domestic storage fills. A naval blockade has sharply reduced Iranian crude exports, leaving tankers stranded and...
Summer Airfares Set to Surge as Jet Fuel Shortage Grips Market
Jet fuel prices have more than doubled since the Iran‑related conflict began, pushing U.S. Gulf Coast benchmarks above $330 per gallon—about 50% higher than pre‑war levels. The surge has forced major airlines such as Delta and American to record $2‑$4 billion...
Oil Shock Far From Over: Energy Giants Warn Global Fuel Supplies May Stay Tight for Months After Iran Deal
Oil supplies will continue to tighten in the coming weeks even if a U.S.-Iran peace deal ends the conflict, because it will take weeks for shipments to resume from the Gulf and for inventories to rebuild. Executives from TotalEnergies, Equinor...
What the Jet Fuel Crisis Means for Your Summer Flights and Travel Plans
Canadian summer air travel faces unprecedented turbulence as a U.S. travel boycott and a global jet‑fuel crisis converge. Airlines have slashed U.S. capacity—Air Transat will end all U.S. flights by June—while expanding domestic routes to capture displaced demand. Jet‑fuel prices...
Crude Oil Moving Off of Low Levels and Back Toward the Next Target at the $95 Area
Crude oil bounced from session lows near $89.85 after finding support above $88.70, stabilizing the market as optimism around Iran negotiations faded. The rebound peaked at $97.34, but prices settled lower, with traders eyeing the $95 resistance – the 50%...
‘Mideast War, El Niño May Weigh on Coconut Industry’
The Philippines’ coconut sector faces a perfect storm as the Middle East war forces the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, inflating ocean freight and war‑risk surcharges. At the same time, a strong El Niño is expected to depress export volumes...
Bernreuter: Daqo Sales Slump Reveals ‘Irrational’ Polysilicon Market Dynamics
Chinese polysilicon giant Daqo New Energy reported an 88.3% plunge in Q1 2026 sales even as output ticked up to 43,402 metric tons, up from 42,181 MT a quarter earlier. The stark mismatch, highlighted by Bernreuter Research head Johannes Bernreuter, signals a market where...
US Corn Gluten Meal and Feed Prices Hold Steady, While DDGS Exports Reach 3-Month High
U.S. corn gluten meal and broader feed prices held steady despite mixed market signals, while grain futures slipped across the board. July corn futures fell to $4.80 per bushel, pressured by rapid planting progress and lower crude oil prices. Dried...
Q&A: How Global Trade Tensions Are Reshaping Ag Markets
Geopolitical flashpoints—from the Iran‑linked Strait of Hormuz closure to lingering U.S.-China tariff disputes—are reshaping agricultural markets. Fertilizer prices have spiked as the Hormuz bottleneck persists, while U.S. soybean shipments to China plunged 75% year‑over‑year. Export dynamics are shifting, with corn...
Increased Supply and Uneven Demand Keeps Pressure on Bloodmeal Markets
Bloodmeal prices have slumped sharply as abundant supply meets tepid demand. Fastmarkets reports the ruminant bloodmeal FOB Missouri River fell 38% year‑over‑year to $826.79 per short ton in April, while porcine bloodmeal FOB Iowa/Missouri/Nebraska dropped 31% to $917.26 per ton....
China’s Weekly Soybean Crush Volume Stable at 1.62 Million Tonnes Ahead of Labor Day Holiday: NFSRDC
China's soybean crushing activity held steady at 1.62 million tonnes in the week to May 1, matching the previous week and remaining above last year’s level. Imported soybean inventories at major crush plants rose to 4.93 million tonnes, while soybean meal and oil...
EU: Airlines Should Pay Passengers for Cancelations Due to Fuel Price Surge
European airlines face a sharp rise in jet‑fuel costs, with prices topping $200 per barrel and Lufthansa alone estimating a $2 billion hit this year. EU Sustainable Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas told the Financial Times that fuel price spikes do not...
LNG Sector Seeing Near-Term ‘Supply Disruption’ Not ‘Demand Destruction’, Excelerate Says
Excelerate Energy, a U.S. floating regasification specialist, says the Middle East conflict is creating a short‑term supply disruption rather than eroding LNG demand. CEO Steven Kobos noted that new LNG projects coming online will expand the need for import and...
EDAM Is ‘Solid and Stable’ so Far, Says CAISO
The California Independent System Operator’s Extended Day‑Ahead Market (EDAM) launched on Friday and is operating smoothly, with prices across all commodities staying within expected ranges. Transfer volumes hit 600 MW, and all market areas passed 100% of the resource sufficiency test....