Global oilseed production is forecast to decline slightly in 2019/20 in contrast to the steady rise observed over the past several years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest report. Soybean production is projected to fall as reduced plantings and harvest in North America more than offset increases in all other regions, it […]
The convergence of China’s rice import and export quantities is shifting global rice trade dynamics, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest monthly report. Only 10 years ago, China played a minor role in rice trade, largely self-sufficient as the top global producer and consumer. However, its domestic support for rice farmers grew […]
As the international natural gas trade continues to develop, Asian economies will drive global demand growth over the next five years, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Global natural gas demand is coming off a record year after growing 4.6% in 2018, the fastest annual pace of growth since 2010, […]
Global demand for natural gas is set to keep growing over the next five years, driven by strong consumption in fast-growing Asian economies and supported by the continued development of the international gas trade, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said. Demand for natural gas grew 4.6% in 2018, its fastest annual pace since 2010, according […]
The world cotton market faces continued uncertainty due to the escalating US-China trade war, with prices under additional pressure due to a projected increase in global stocks, the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) said in its latest monthly report. It said there is some hope that American and Chinese representatives might be able to de-escalate […]
If you had followed our Akshaya Tritiya advice to buy gold, you would have certainly been richer today. Spot gold prices are up by around 3% since then, but even if you missed the run then it may not be too late to buy. The stars are lining up for a further rally, perhaps stronger […]
China, the world’s top cotton consumer, has announced that it will auction 800,000 tonnes from its reserve in 2019. The 25% tariffs placed on US cotton in July 2018 remain in place, however, and that has led to changes in the way fibre flows into China, the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) said. As China’s […]
Although refiners in Asia are not left without choice for crude after the end of the U.S. sanction waivers for Iranian oil, the higher price of alternative supplies, as well as soaring fuel exports from China, are depressing refining margins across Asia. Asian oil buyers haven’t had problems in procuring alternate supplies of crude oil […]
World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 156.7 million tonnes (Mt) in April 2019, a 6.4% increase compared to April 2018. China’s crude steel production for April 2019 was 85.0 Mt, an increase of 12.7% compared to April 2018. India produced 8.8 Mt of crude steel […]
Persistent pressure on profit margins has forced Asian refiners to start considering a reduction in their run rates, Reuters reports, citing unnamed sources from the industry. According to the sources, higher international oil prices are behind the unfavorable development, which has seen refiners’ margins drop to the lowest since the spring of 2003, according to Reuters […]
