This is Fastmarkets’ weekly recap of the main movements in global cash markets.

The DRC cobalt export ban has continued to reduce China’s cobalt intermediate imports in July 2025, driving tighter supply and higher prices. Meanwhile, Chinese cobalt metal exports remained stable despite ongoing market disruptions.

On August 18 the following prices were published incorrectly: MB-ALU-0002 Alumina index, fob Australia, $/tonne was published in error as $369.13 per tonne. This has now been corrected to $369.10 per tonne. MB-ALU-0019 Alumina index inferred, fob Indonesia, $/tonne was published in error as $378.13 per tonne. This has now been corrected to $378.10 per tonne. MB-ALU-0018 Alumina […]

Fastmarkets has corrected its AG-SYB-0005 Soybean CFR China (US Gulf) $/mt and AG-SYB-0006 Soybean CFR China (US Gulf) Premium c$/bu, which were published incorrectly between July 17 and August 7. Fastmarkets also corrected the rationale for AG-SYB-0006 Soybean CFR China (US Gulf) Premium c$/bu, which was published incorrectly. The derived prices AG-SYB-0001 Soybean CFR China […]

Fastmarkets has corrected the rationale for its MB-AL-0346 Aluminium P1020A premium, in-whs dup Rotterdam, $/tonne that was published incorrectly on Tuesday August 19.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the US housing market, recent trends reveal a complex interplay between lumber prices, construction activity and broader economic indicators

Find out how the pallet market is responding to economic challenges and what that means for lumber prices.

Based on feedback received, Fastmarkets will maintain the current iron ore 61% Fe fines specifications to preserve consistency in face of evolving mid-grade fines quality. This decision will have no material impact on pricing. This consultation sought to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical market under indexation, in compliance with the International […]

Russia’s wheat export volumes from Black Sea ports totaled 732,180 tonnes in the week ended August 14, plus US wheat exports for the 2025/26 marketing year are now projected at 875 million bu, up by 25 million bu from the previous estimate.

The price assessment for AG-PLM-0017 Crude palm oil, Indonesia PTPN tender will not be published on Monday August 18 due to an ad hoc additional national holiday declared by the Indonesian government, which results in no local tender carried out on the day.   Fastmarkets’ pricing holiday calendar has been updated to reflect these changes. You can find […]