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    • Increased metal refining capacity in China and Indonesia has led to a rise in production of Chinese and Indonesian cobalt metal brands. Data gathered from pricing sessions shows an increase in the trading activity of these brands on a spot and forward basis in the in-whs Rotterdam market. This data also shows these brands transacting […]
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    • Brazilian tallow prices rose further in the week to Thursday, February 20, mainly supported by stronger exports. Suppliers kept their offers at higher levels despite unexpected changes in the country’s biodiesel mandate. The price reference for exported Brazilian tallow with a maximum of 15% free fatty acids (FFA), FOB Santos, was assessed at $1,050-1,080 per […]
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    • The publication of Fastmarkets’ Chinese battery-grade lithium carbonate and hydroxide prices for Thursday February 20 was delayed due to a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.
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    • More than one week after US President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports, the aluminium markets in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil are still worried about the consequences and ongoing uncertainty around the potential implications for global trade flows, sources told Fastmarkets.
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    • The US has the opportunity to be self-reliant on manganese for use in batteries once South32’s Hermosa project is up and running, the president of Hermosa told Fastmarkets.
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    • During the consultation period, Fastmarkets received extensive feedback from all sectors of the European aluminium industry. You can find the original consultation notice here. Fastmarkets will now evaluate the written comments received, before publishing a final decision on the consultation. If you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter, please contact Sayaka […]
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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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    Top stories across markets

    Less Common Metals Ltd (LCM) is investing €110 million in a new facility in Lacq, France, to expand Europe’s rare earth metals supply chain. This initiative is part of efforts to develop rare earth processing capabilities in France, supporting industries such as electric vehicles and energy generation.

    The DRC is set to decide on the future of its cobalt export ban on June 22, potentially extending, modifying or ending the policy. Aimed at boosting local refining and value creation, the ban has left global markets uncertain, with stakeholders calling for clarity as cobalt prices fluctuate and concerns over long-term demand grow.

    Fastmarkets’ Tina Tong discusses adopting ESG practices for a sustainable ferro-alloys future

    The US trade roller coaster ride seems to be flattening, with signs of potential moderation and stability. It appears increasingly likely that our original expectation that the US Trump administration would primarily use the threat of tariffs as a negotiating strategy will be correct. While we do not expect to the US tariff position return to pre-2025 levels, we believe the overall US tariff burden is more likely to settle at around 10-30% globally rather than the elevated rates of 50-100% that seemed possible in recent weeks.

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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
    • FastMarkets and more

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