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    • Dry bulk freight rates for Panamax vessels in the Atlantic Ocean rose in the week to Wednesday, February 19, as increased cargo demand in the Americas supported rates. Freight rates for the Brazil-Northeast Asia route rose by $1.90 per tonne week on week to $34.70 per tonne, while prices for the US Gulf-Northeast Asia route […]
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    • The European Union’s weekly wheat exports amounted to 243,324 tonnes in the week to Sunday, February 16, according to initial data from the European Commission. Total wheat exports from the EU for the 2024/25 marketing year stood at 13.34 million tonnes, down by 36% compared with the same period in the previous marketing year, when […]
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    • The following prices were published with a delay of 16 hours and 39 minutes: MB-MAG-0018 – Magnesia, dead burned, 95% MgO, fob Europe, $/tonneMB-MAG-0013 – Magnesite, Greek, raw, max 3.5% SiO2, fob East Mediterranean, €/tonneMB-MAG-0012 – Magnesia, European calcined, agricultural, cif Europe, €/tonneMB-MAG-0019 – Magnesia, fused, 97% MgO, cif Europe, $/tonne These prices are a part […]
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    • The rationale was missing the backwardation data on Monday. The following line has been added to the rationale for MB-AL-0020 aluminium P1020A premium, ddp Midwest US: “The LME C/3M spread was trading at a $38.37/t backwardation at the time of assessment on Monday, compared to a $23.00/t backwardation on Friday.” The published price is unaffected by this […]
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    • Fastmarkets proposes to amend the frequency of the publication of its price assessment for MB-MG-0005 Magnesium, 99.9% min, ex-whs Baltimore, to monthly from fortnightly.
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    • The publication of the following price assessments were delayed: MB-LI-0036 Lithium carbonate 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot price range exw domestic China, yuan/ tonne MB-LI-0040 Lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O, 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price range exw domestic China, yuan/tonne These prices are a part of the Fastmarkets industrial minerals package. To provide feedback on […]
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    • Argentina produces just 4,000 tonnes per year (tpy) of copper, while its neighbour Chile mines 5.5million tpy of the red metal every year. But the problem, Cornejo says, isn’t a lack of copper. “Our province borders Chile, and we share the copper-rich Andes with that country,” he said. “In fact, Chile’s best mining projects sit […]
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    • US President Donald Trump has reinstated the full 25% steel tariffs under Section 232. This decisive move aims to curb surging imports and bolster US manufacturing. With exemptions removed and impacts stretching from producers to downstream manufacturers, the global steel industry braces for widespread effects.
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    • European silicon giant downplays trade disruption fears amid market volatility, revealing improved Q4 earnings despite falling revenues and alumnium sector weakness.
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    • The price was initially published as $60-70 per tonne and has since been corrected to $60-68 per tonne. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated to reflect this change. The price rationale was correct. For more information or to provide feedback on this correction notice or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data […]
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    Top stories across markets

    Cobalt Holdings plans to acquire 6,000 tonnes of cobalt. Following their $230M London Stock Exchange listing, this move secures a key cobalt reserve. With the DRC’s export ban affecting prices, the decision reflects shifting industry dynamics

    The recent US-China agreement to temporarily reduce tariffs is a major step for global trade, with tariffs on US goods entering China dropping from 125% to 10% and on Chinese goods entering the US decreasing from 145% to 30% starting May 14. While this has boosted markets and created optimism, key industries like autos and steel remain affected, leaving businesses waiting for clearer long-term trade policies.

    BEK pulp prices in Europe dropped $40/tonne in April, driven by US import tariff uncertainties and weaker demand in China.

    The US-China trade truce announced on May 12 has brought cautious optimism to China’s non-ferrous metals markets, signaling a possible shift in global trade. Starting May 14, the removal of additional tariffs has impacted sectors like battery raw materials, minor metals and base metals such as zinc and nickel, with mixed reactions. While the improved sentiment has lifted futures prices and trade activity, the long-term effects remain unclear due to challenges like supply-demand pressures and export controls.

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    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 • Hardwood Market Report
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