Analysis: Commodities

Strategic Metals: Cobalt isn’t going anywhere

A component of the category of minor metals, cobalt is actually only minor in its designation because of its extremely diverse uses in the metallurgical and chemical fields. Its importance also...

China Hongqiao : annual aluminium output slips for first time in decade

China's annual aluminium production fell for the first time in 10 years in 2019, official data showed on Friday, hit by softer demand amid the Sino-U.S. trade row and large-scale smelter outages.

Crude oil : China's 2019 and December crude oil runs hit record highs

China's crude oil throughput rose to a record high in 2019 following the start-up of two mega-refineries, official data showed on Friday, with December posting the highest daily run-rate on record.

Barrick sees gold output above estimates on Nevada boost

Canadian miner Barrick Gold Corp's fourth-quarter gold production estimates came above analysts' expectations on Thursday, as its Nevada Gold Mines joint venture with Newmont Corp yielded more of the...

Mali's gold production rises 7% in 2019 to record high

Mali's industrial gold production rose 7% in 2019 to a record 65.1 tonnes, mines ministry statistics showed on Wednesday.

Israel starts exporting natural gas to Egypt under landmark deal

Israel began exporting natural gas to Egypt on Wednesday under one of the most important deals to have been signed by the neighbors since they made peace four decades ago.

Thailand's 2020 rice exports forecast to fall to lowest in seven years

Thailand's rice exports in 2020 are forecast to drop to their lowest in seven year, the country's rice exporters group said on Thursday, as the strong baht reduces the competitiveness against other...

Ivory Coast's rubber output jumps 25% in 2019

Ivory Coast's rubber output rose by a quarter in 2019 to 780,000 tonnes and is expected to reach 850,000 tonnes this year as new plantations have started producing, the head of the country's natural...

Boohoo finds silver lining in Britain's depressed retail market

British online fashion retailer Boohoo lifted its full-year guidance after reporting robust Christmas sales on Tuesday, outperforming rivals and overcoming weak UK consumer spending.

Copper : China December copper imports hit highest since March 2016; annual shipments fall

China's unwrought copper imports rose 9.1% in December from the previous month to their highest since March 2016, customs data showed on Tuesday, as improving industrial activity and dwindling scrap...

Malaysia's PM defends criticism of India despite palm oil backlash

Malaysia is concerned about India's new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday, but indicated he would continue to speak out against wrong...

An overview of the Iran-US conflict and how it affects oil markets

Oil markets, and financial markets as a whole, are once again shaken by a resurgence of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Here is an overview of the conflict between Washington and Tehran.

China suspends national rollout of ethanol mandate - sources

China has suspended its plan to implement a nationwide gasoline blend containing 10% ethanol this year, three sources briefed on the matter said, following a sharp decline in the country's corn stocks...

Starbucks launches oat milk drink as vegan movement grows

Starbucks Corp on Tuesday added an oat milk beverage to its menu, as the coffee chain taps into the growing demand for vegan alternatives to dairy.

India asks refiners to stop buying Malaysian palm oil after political row - sources

India has informally asked palm oil refiners and traders to avoid buying Malaysian palm oil, government and industry sources said on Tuesday, following Malaysian criticism of India's actions in the...

Gold soars as Middle East tensions brew 'perfect storm'

Gold surged on Monday to a near seven-year high as the U.S. killing of a top Iranian commander stirred fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East. Palladium surpassed $2,000 an ounce for the first...

Ivory Coast 2019/20 cocoa arrivals 1,153,000 T by Jan. 5 -exporters' estimates

Cocoa arrivals at ports in top grower Ivory Coast reached 1,153,000 tonnes between Oct. 1 and Jan. 5, 2020, exporters estimated on Monday, up 3.6% from 1,113,000 tonnes in the same period last season.

Zimbabwe's CBZ bank issues bonds under scheme to raise funds for maize, soy farming

Zimbabwe's largest bank CBZ launched two bond issues on Monday, seeking to raise $80.6 million to finance maize and soybean farming, as the country faces another drought that could worsen an already...

Canada's First Quantum weighs $1 billion Zambian copper mine expansion -document

Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals Ltd is weighing investment of around $1 billion to lift output at Africa's biggest copper mine in Zambia, a company document seen by Reuters showed.