As the world’s media spotlight falls on Afghanistan, Fastmarkets looks at why reported claims of incoming Chinese mining deals are unlikely to be fulfilled soon.

Key data from Fastmarkets’ pricing sessions in Europe, China and the United States on Friday August 20.

Lithium prices in China rallied further in the week to Thursday August 19, with optimism over demand for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries continuing to boost sentiment.

Sunflower harvest out of the Black Sea region could rise 6 million tonnes to 42 million tonnes this year, with most coming from Ukraine and Russia.

Analytical agencies across the Black Sea are expecting sunflower production across the region to bounce back after last year’s…

Chinese government policies are not always written down or announced, and some are announced very late. These unwritten rules are having a major impact on costs along the steel supply chain, with automakers, in particular, feeling the squeeze. Many of these policies have a green tinge, such as the recent ban on Australian coking coal.

Low water levels in the Parana riverВ could last until the end of October and possibly even through to the end of the year, local…

Global commodity prices are expected to stay high in the short term and China will continue to take measures to ensure supplies and stabilize prices, China’s National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday August 16.

Global ferrous scrap prices have continued to fall in the week to August 13 due to high freight rates, Covid-19 outbreaks in importing countries and poor downstream steel demand.

Battery supply chain participants have prioritized securing lithium in the second half of 2021, but nickel has also been a headache for sourcing directors, who are less concerned about cobalt supplies, a Fastmarkets survey has found.