Our insights

Discover our global market insights into commodity markets. See what's trending in the agriculture, forest products, metals and mining and new generation energy markets.

Search all the latest market insights and coverage
    • Forecasting is not an absolute exact science, but it provides a general expectation of future growth scenarios based on assumptions. Accessing two, five and 15-year forecasts by region and grade enables parties to plan around market changes. At Fastmarkets, our macroeconomic forecasts serve as a foundation for various forestry product forecasts, such as pulp, packaging, […]
      Insights
    • Malaysia’s palm oil exports during March 1-15 totalled 381,790 tonnes compared with 422,425 tonnes the preceding month due to lower purchases from key destination markets, according to figures from cargo surveyor Intertek Testing Services (ITS).The figure excludes shipments of soft oils, coconut oils and used cooking oil (UCO), with the volume down by 10%, or […]
      Insights
    • The adjustment, which follows a consultation which ended on Tuesday March 18, will enable Fastmarkets to track a broader range of data by incorporating major ports, including Hay Point Coal Terminal, Abbot Point Coal Terminal, Gladstone Port and Port Kembla, alongside the current Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal. To ensure consistency of the assessments, normalization of ports […]
      Insights
    • French shipping giant CMA CGM Group’s plan to invest $20 billion in maritime transportation, logistics and supply chains in the US over the next four years signals the start of a turnaround for US shipbuilding and will increase demand for steel plate by as much as an estimated $2 billion over the term of the investment, according to market participants.
      Insights
    • Markets thrive when they are informed and have a measure of certainty that includes benchmarks on which they can rely. Biodiesel producers in the US have been lacking this certainty, and a majority of their production capacity remains idled as a result. A Fastmarkets biodiesel production survey under way in the week ending Friday, March […]
      Insights
    • Timber prices continue to remain subdued by our estimates. Log demand and prices have declined in most major North American producing regions as the US housing market throttled back and mills were temporarily shut or reduced shifts. Timber prices are influenced by many factors, one of which is lumber prices. In the US, roughly 70% […]
      Insights
    • The name of the index will be modified to steel scrap, sheared HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix), index, domestic, delivered UAE. This will clarify that the index covers sheared HMS 1&2 and not unprocessed HMS 1&2 material, which is also available in the market. The change to the name of the price will not affect historical […]
      Insights
    • These prices are scheduled for publication at 2-3pm London time, but were published at 4.24pm. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The following prices were affected:MB-STE-0092 Steel reinforcing bar (rebar), domestic, cpt Poland, zloty per tonneMB-STE-0891 Steel wire rod (drawing quality), domestic, delivered Poland, zloty per tonne The prices are part of the Fastmarkets steel price package. […]
      Insights
    • Market participants are reporting significant disruption in shipping containers of metal scrap
      Insights
    • This is a follow-up pricing notice to yesterday’s notice about the delay. The following prices were affected by this:MB-AL-0256 Aluminium fixing price for LME trade, rand/tonne MB-CU-0338 Copper fixing price for LME trade, rand/tonne MB-PB-0064 Lead fixing price for LME trade, rand/tonne MB-NI-0093 Nickel fixing price for LME trade, rand/tonne MB-SN-0005 Tin rand fixing price for LME trade, rand/tonne MB-ZN-0072 Zinc rand […]
      Insights
    Top stories across markets

    Forecasting is not an absolute exact science, but it provides a general expectation of future growth scenarios based on assumptions. Accessing two, five and 15-year forecasts by region and grade enables parties to plan around market changes. At Fastmarkets, our macroeconomic forecasts serve as a foundation for various forestry product forecasts, such as pulp, packaging, […]

    Malaysia’s palm oil exports during March 1-15 totalled 381,790 tonnes compared with 422,425 tonnes the preceding month due to lower purchases from key destination markets, according to figures from cargo surveyor Intertek Testing Services (ITS).The figure excludes shipments of soft oils, coconut oils and used cooking oil (UCO), with the volume down by 10%, or […]

    French shipping giant CMA CGM Group’s plan to invest $20 billion in maritime transportation, logistics and supply chains in the US over the next four years signals the start of a turnaround for US shipbuilding and will increase demand for steel plate by as much as an estimated $2 billion over the term of the investment, according to market participants.

    Markets thrive when they are informed and have a measure of certainty that includes benchmarks on which they can rely. Biodiesel producers in the US have been lacking this certainty, and a majority of their production capacity remains idled as a result. A Fastmarkets biodiesel production survey under way in the week ending Friday, March […]

    Videos on demand

    An interview with Terry Webber, vice president of industry affairs at AF&PA on product recyclability, forest management and legislation

    An interview with Laurent Sellier, CEO of Smurfit Kappa The Americas on changing packaging consumer behaviors and the key to preparedness for 2024

    An interview with Joachim Klein, managing director at StepChange Consulting on containerboard demand, opportunities in M&As and talent acquisition

    Deep dive into our data stories

    As copper prices reach record highs and analysts warn of ‘unsustainable deficits’, we explore the key trends shaping the copper market

    Global oversupply has brought new challenges to the packaging market, but growth is on the horizon for containerboard, boxboard, graph and kraft paper

    This report delivers an in-depth analysis of the supply chain challenges and costs that buyers face in the EMEA corn market. We explore critical factors affecting corn supply chain efficiency

    According to our survey of the US steel market, almost half of respondents believe it will take more than 18 months for a green steel premium to be collected in the US – here we explore the factors that could influence the speed of adoption

    Key topics and special interest hubs

    Browse our special interest content hubs to get deeper insights into the biggest issues across commodity markets

    We recognize the importance of being clear about our price assessment and index process. Our independently audited pricing process aligns with core IOSCO principles. Find out how our price reporters and analysts assess and forecast prices in agriculture, forest products and metals

    Purple, Texture, Lighting

    The definitive podcast for the critical minerals and battery raw materials markets. From uncovering market secrets to predicting future trends using Fastmarkets forecasting data, we’ve got you covered.

    In Hotter Commodities, special correspondent Andrea Hotter cuts to the chase on the biggest stories impacting the natural resources sector, what it means for the markets, the key risks and opportunities.

    Fastmarkets combines the commodity intelligence of these familiar names:

    Metal Bulletin • American Metal Market • Scrap Price Bulletin • Industrial Minerals • RISI • FOEX • The Jacobsen • Agricensus • Palm Oil Analytics • Random Lengths • FastMarkets and more

    Talk to us

    Whether you’re interested in learning how to become a customer from our sales teams or looking to get in touch with one of our reporters, we’re here for you.

    Speak to our team

    Why use a price reporting agency?

    Navigate uncertainty and make business decisions with confidence using our price data, forecasts and critical intelligence.

    Learn more