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    • Chinese corn import activity continued to be sluggish in June, dropping to 156,445 tonnes, down by 32,000 tonnes, 17%, from 188,542 tonnes in May, according to the latest data from the country’s General Administration of Customs (GACC).
      Insights
    • The Detroit, Michigan-based automotive giant General Motors (GM) and the Carson City, Nevada-based lithium batteries recycler Redwood Materials announced on Wednesday July 16 that they have agreed to build energy storage systems (ESSs) using both new and recycled batteries.
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    • American Chambers of Commerce (Amcham) across Latin America are calling for urgent negotiations to prevent the escalation of trade tensions between their countries and the US, following the announcement of sweeping 50% tariffs by President Donald Trump.
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    • Fastmarkets, a global leader in providing independent, transparent pricing and economic insights across key commodity sectors, is excited to announce that Ana Toni, CEO of COP 30, will deliver the keynote address at the Latin America Carbon Forum this August in São Paulo.  Fastmarkets’ Latin America Carbon Forum emphasizes the importance of actionable dialogue and […]
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    • Fastmarkets has launched a MB-STE-0935 Steel reinforcing bar (rebar), differential to shredded auto scrap Chicago, fob mill US, $/gross ton to complement its existing suite of steelmaking raw materials to finished product differentials on Wednesday July 23. This strategic launch is designed to offer the market a single reference price denoting the differential between steel […]
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    • The following prices were affected:MB-BI-0001 bismuth 99.99% Bi min, in-whs Rotterdam, $ per lbMB-CD-0001 cadmium 99.95% min, cif global ports, cents per lbMB-CD-0002 cadmium 99.99% min, cif global ports, cents per lb. These prices are part of Fastmarkets’ minor metals package. For more information, or to provide feedback on the delayed publication of these prices, or if you […]
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    • After a consultation period from June 20 to July 18, Fastmarkets made the decision to discontinue these assessments because the outright prices no longer reflect market conditions, with the market shifting toward payables as the dominant pricing method. The affected prices are:MB-NIO-0003 nickel mixed hydroxide precipitate outright price, cif China, Japan and South Korea, $ per tonneMB-NIO-0005 nickel […]
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    • India’s ferrous scrap imports have rebounded in early 2025 but remain vulnerable due to competitive domestic DRI prices and shifting sourcing strategies by steelmakers. While near-term demand is subdued, long-term prospects depend on evolving supply chains and policy decisions.
      Insights
    • The publication of Fastmarkets’ MB-CO-0004 cobalt alloy grade, in-whs Rotterdam and MB-CO-0005 cobalt standard grade, in-whs Rotterdam assessments for Wednesday July 23 was delayed because of a system error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.
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    • Explore the latest trends in lumber markets as vacation time and economic uncertainty impact sales and trading activity.
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    Top stories across markets

    Russia’s weekly wheat exports from Black Sea ports totaled 459,564 tonnes in the week ending Thursday September 18, down by 396,681 tonnes (46%) from the 856,245 tonnes loaded in the previous week, according to Fastmarkets analytics data published on Friday.

    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.

    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.

    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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    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
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