Commodities Focus

Beef prices in the US started 2025 at a record high. The world’s largest consumer is also seeing a 63-year low in the size of its cattle herd and is expected to continue calling on supplies from Brazil and Australia, the world’s two biggest exporters. That’s because US farmers have been sending a high proportion of female animals to slaughter before they calved, shrinking their beef operations in response to low prices and higher costs. Luckily, Brazil and Australia are at different stages of the cattle cycle.    In this podcast, William Bland, EMEA manager of price reporting for Agriculture & Food, and Ryan Urie, the global head of meat and livestock research, speak to Kevin Coburn and Renan Araujo about how the market is planning for 2025.    Links: Platts Proteins Price Assessments  Brazil Beef Marker (BBM) - ATALC00  90CL Beef CIF US - ATALB00  90CL FCA Australia – ATALD00 

Dave Ernsberger, Co-President at S&P Global Commodity Insights, shares his expertise on energy markets, while Ranjit Rath, Chairman and Managing Director at Oil India Ltd, discusses India’s upstream oil strategies. They delve into India's surging energy demand and its increasing importance in the global oil market, forecasted to surpass China's oil demand growth. The conversation highlights India's pivot towards Russian oil amidst geopolitical shifts, along with significant government reforms aimed at enhancing the upstream sector and attracting global investment.

The discussion kicks off with Trump’s executive orders aimed at solidifying U.S. energy dominance, especially in non-fuel minerals. They analyze the immediate market responses, like fluctuations in crude oil prices due to proposed tariffs. The potential effects of emergency declarations on energy production and regulatory powers are explored, alongside contrasting policies in Alaska between administrations. They also tackle the challenges of metal production, highlighting the intersection of geopolitics and energy policy in shaping market confidence.

Amid sustained supply growth out of Indonesia while higher-cost production shuts down, will the focal point of nickel markets continues to be shifted to the country? Markets looks ahead at China’s stimulus for support to nickel demand from the steel and battery sectors, but will it be sufficient to underpin prices? In this podcast, Asia nonferrous metals team lead Jenson Ong is joined by Wang Litian, associate price reporter for Asia nonferrous metals, and Lucy Tang, market news specialist for Asia metals to discuss the latest developments in the nickel space.

As the maritime industry faces a crucial turning point, the adoption of stringent environmental regulations is reshaping fuel consumption and market dynamics. In this episode of Commodities Focus, our Platts experts discuss the implications of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) on shipping operations and the transition to alternative fuels. With the upcoming FuelEU regulations and the establishment of a new Emissions Control Area in the Mediterranean, we delve into how these changes are influencing supply chain strategies and the demand for traditional versus alternative fuels. Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities presented by these regulatory shifts, and gain insights into the future of freight markets amidst an evolving landscape. Links: GSI 10 Dirty Tanker Global Index Suezmax (Non-Scrubber Fitted Non-Eco) - GSTDA00 GSI 10S Dirty Tanker Global Index Suezmax (Scrubber-Fitted Eco) - GSTDB00 Dirty Tanker Basis Global Index VLCC (Non-Scrubber Fitted Non-Eco) - VGIBS00 Dirty Tanker Basis Global Index VLCC (Scrubber-Fitted Eco) - VGIBR00 Interactive: Platts global bunker fuel cost calculator Platts to include EU ETS carbon costs in tanker freight assessments, launching carbon-exclusive rates for two benchmark routes Jan. 2, 2025 - Read more

India is at the crossroads of transitioning from Asia's primary corn exporter to a net importer amidst growing ethanol production within the country. Is this trend of corn imports going to continue, and why is the Indian ethanol market a crucial factor? What challenges stand in the way of this transition? In this podcast, grains and oilseeds price reporter Edward Low is joined by Namarita Kathait, associate editor for Asia agriculture and senior editor for biofuels, Rishab Joshi, and global biofuel news editor Samyak Pandey to discuss the latest developments in India's corn and ethanol markets.

The world’s top rice exporter India recently lifted most of the restrictions on its rice exports, which the country placed in July 2023 to control soaring domestic food prices. Price-sensitive rice importers, such as the West African countries, are likely to look towards India as a competitive supplier. However, shipping concerns that impacted the country’s rice exporters recently may continue to add to the trade uncertainties in the coming days as well. In this podcast, Asim Anand, managing editor, agriculture and food and pricing is joined by Tanya Rana, associate editor, agriculture and food pricing, Pranay Shukla, director, head of dry bulk freight & commodities research, and Tanya Kalra, associate editor, Asia container markets, to discuss the factors impacting global rice markets as well as the freight and container outlooks in 2025, and their possible impact on Indian rice trade.    

Chris Vanmoessner, Editor of Oil Futures at S&P Global Commodity Insights, joins Corey Paul, Senior Editor of America's LNG News, and Kirsten Errick, Renewable Energy and Climate Reporter, to discuss how the 2024 US elections could reshape global energy markets. They delve into the candidates' contrasting policies on oil sanctions and LNG exports. The group also explores the implications of solar tariffs and potential geopolitical shifts, revealing how these factors could influence prices and supplies across the energy sector.

Political experts say Nov. 5 will likely become known as one of the most pivotal elections in US history. Whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins the presidency, and whether Republicans or Democrats control Congress, the energy sector faces major potential shifts. There will be implications for supply chains, energy infrastructure, and the overall direction of US energy markets.  Jasmin Melvin, senior editor and team lead for The Energy Daily, leads a discussion on what’s at stake in the oil, gas, power and metals arenas with Commodity Insights reporters and analysts Zack Hale, Taylor Kuykendall, Starr Spencer and Anna Mosby. They examine the polarizing energy positions from the presidential candidates and how a potentially divided Congress could reshape energy policy.  Links:  Platts Connect - S&P Global Commodity Insights news coverage, pricing and analysis CapIQ - Commodity Insights Americas news

India has maintained its position as the world's largest producer of direct-reduced iron (DRI) for several years. As the global race to accelerate energy transition efforts intensifies, DRI has gained prominence due to its potential for reducing carbon emissions in energy-intensive sectors like steel. Recognized as a key pathway to 'green steel,' DRI offers various low-carbon steelmaking alternatives. Walking the DRI path is expected to help India's steel industry to lower its emissions. Capturing this evolving and dynamic market in India, S&P Global Commodity Insights' Platts has launched a daily pellet-based Indian domestic direct reduced iron spot price assessment on an ex-works Raipur, Chhattisgarh basis. Related: Indian domestic direct reduced iron price assessment