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    • Steel imports into Brazil are expected to decline further as Chinese tax changes and weak domestic demand weigh on the market. With interest rates at two-decade highs, both imports and local production are under pressure, though 2026 could bring short-term recovery tied to election-year stimulus.
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    • Fastmarkets will launch a price assessment for MB-BAR-0021 Barite, drilling grade, unground lump, bulk, SG 4.30 fob Vietnam on Thursday September 25 and has discontinued its MB-BAR-0004 Barite, API, 1.5t big bags, ground, fob Southern Turkey price assessment. The final assessment of MB-BAR-0004 took place on August 28 and all short-term forecasts associated with the […]
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    • Direct lithium extraction in Europe is being positioned as a sustainable alternative to traditional methods, but its success will depend on overcoming hurdles in cost, regulation and scalability. Industry experts highlight that community acceptance and investment will be equally critical to its future.
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    • Canadian specialty materials producer Neo Performance Materials officially launched a sintered neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnet plant in Narva, Estonia, on Friday September 19, and announced the completion of Europe's first dysprosium and terbium oxide production line.
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    • The Democratic Republic of Congo has introduced cobalt export quotas following the suspension period, setting limits on shipments while outlining future allocations. The policy is designed to balance global supply and demand while supporting the country’s ambition to develop domestic processing capacity.
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    • From voluntary credits to new compliance schemes, businesses face a growing need for clear, reliable information to navigate the carbon market landscape. How can you distinguish high-quality credits from the rest? What impact will new regulations like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) have on your supply chain? This interview has the answers.
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    • Fastmarkets is inviting feedback on the methodology specifications on most of its black mass payables indicators following recent changes to quality and moisture content of materials being traded on the spot market. The purpose of this review is to ensure that the assessments continue to accurately reflect prevailing market conditions in the rapidly-changing black mass […]
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    • Mexico will impose tariffs on around 1,400 imported products from countries with which it does not have a trade agreement, according to Mexican government officials, in a move that industry sources say signals alignment with the US but could have “mixed effects” for the steel industry.
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    • Fastmarkets is extending the consultation period for its proposal to amend the specifications of its weekly price assessment for MB-STE-0037 Steel reinforcing bar (Rebar) domestic, exw Italy, €/tonne amid diverse feedback. Fastmarkets initially proposed a transition from an assessment of an effective price to an assessment of a base price alongside the provision of official extras in […]
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    • China set a higher target for automobile sales in 2025 compared with a year earlier, with the country aiming to keep the upward momentum in 2026, according to a notice published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Friday September 12.
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    Top stories across markets

    US and European wheat futures were little changed near multi-year lows on Monday October 20, with market participants weighing abundant global supply, reports of hedge fund short covering and a rare USDA data release.

    Treatment charges (TCs) for zinc concentrates shipped into China increased in the two weeks to Friday October 10, with deteriorating import arbitrage conditions driving smelters to push for another increase in the processing fees, sources told Fastmarkets.

    Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global mining powerhouse is no longer only a vision; it is now a sprint. Robert Wilt, chief executive officer of Maaden, outlined the company’s rapid transformation into one of the world’s largest diversified miners, driven by speed, scale and technology.

    Iron ore is now the new pawn in international geopolitics, with China now pushing yuan-based payments for imported iron ore

    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 • Hardwood Market Report
    • FastMarkets and more

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