The global steel industry’s move to decarbonize and China’s penchant for lower-grade ores in recent years have uncovered challenges for high-grade iron ore to live out its value in both the blast furnace-based steelmaking route and the direct-reduction iron process, delegates told Fastmarkets during the Singapore International Ferrous Week (SIFW), which takes place from May 26-30.

Discover how President Trump's tariffs impact the US fluff pulp export market, specifically targeting the EU and China.

The playing field for global iron ore brands could be poised to be leveled, given a recent announcement on lower iron content in a key mainstream Australian direct shipping ore, iron ore market participants told Fastmarkets, adding that the development could narrow the price disparities between major Australian mid-grade iron ore brands.

The graphite industry in 2025 faces major challenges, including trade wars, high US tariffs on synthetic graphite and policy changes affecting EV manufacturing and tax credits. Low natural graphite prices, oversupply and slow EV growth make diversifying supply chains essential for market stability.

Soybean futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange held broadly steady in the front end of the curve on Thursday May 29, while contracts for farther delivery months faced some downward pressure.

The Chinese steel market is expected to remain reliant on export-led growth for the rest of 2025, amid poor domestic consumption and a lack of investor confidence in the property sector, delegates were told at the Singapore International Iron Ore Forum on Wednesday May 28.

Due to the reduced liquidity in that market linked to the combination of seasonal demand patterns and the implementation of cross-border import tariffs between the US and China, Fastmarkets proposes to assess AG-SYB-0005 Soybean CFR China (US Gulf) $/mt and AG-SYB-0006 Soybean CFR China (US Gulf) Premium c$/bu based on its assessments for AG-SYB-0020 Soybean FOB US Gulf $/mt and AG-SYB-0021 Soybean FOB […]

Fastmarkets has decided not to proceed with the proposed amendment to the name and specifications of the MB-IRO-0008 iron ore 62% Fe fines cfr Qingdao index. After a consultation period, Fastmarkets has determined that current circumstances do not make the proposed amendments to the index viable. Fastmarkets reserves the right to start a fresh consultation on […]

The following prices were affected: MB-FEN-0001 Nickel pig iron, high-grade NPI content 10-15%, contract, ddp China, yuan/nickel unit priceMB-FEN-0002 Nickel pig iron, high-grade NPI content 10-15%, spot, ddp China, yuan/nickel unit priceMB-NIO-0001 Nickel ore with 1.8% nickel content, cif China, $/tonneMB-NIO-0002 Laterite ore with 1.5% Ni content, cif China, $/tonneMB-NIO-0006 Laterite ore with 1.3% Ni content, cif China, $/tonne MB-FEN-0001 and […]

Fastmarkets has launched MB-NI-0257, high-grade nickel matte payable indicator, 65-75% nickel contained, cif China, % of official exchange price on Friday May 30.