Commodities Focus

Feb 19 2025 609 ep. 12 mins 260

Commodities Focus Podcast artwork

S&P Global Commodity Insights analysis of key news and pricing issues from across the global shipping, natural gas, power, petrochemicals, agriculture, and coal markets.

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Brazil's evolving role in the global ferrous scrap market

Feb 19 2025 15 mins

Brazil's ferrous scrap exports have undergone a significant transformation, driven by a weakening domestic steel industry and increasing demand from India. Brazil exported a record 800,000 mt in 2023, following a decline in domestic scrap consumption. Looking ahead, the Brazilian recycling sector is diversifying and adapting to international standards while navigating the ongoing c

Understanding the cattle cycle, why US beef prices are at record highs and the role of Australia and Brazil

Feb 14 2025 14 mins

Beef prices in the US started 2025 at a record high. The world’s largest consumer is also seeing a 63-year low in the size of its cattle herd and is expected to continue calling on supplies from Brazil and Australia, the world’s two biggest exporters. That’s because US farmers have been sending a high proportion of female animals to slaughter before they calved, shrinking the

India Energy Week to seek answers on demand trajectory, oil diplomacy and upstream push

Feb 04 2025 25 mins

India's rapidly growing energy demand, the shifting focus of oil producers towards the country, and the transition to cleaner energy sources are key themes at India Energy Week. Delegates will seek insights on how Indian energy companies and policymakers can balance the reliance on traditional fuels with a new energy roadmap. In a comprehensive discussion, Dave Ernsberger, Co-Presi

Emergency or policy? Unpacking Trump’s take on US energy and metals

Jan 28 2025 27 mins

Within hours of being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders, and declared a national emergency with the aim of ensuring reliable energy supplies and position the US as a leading minerals producer. Trump also threatened tariffs on Canada and Mexico -- major exporters of crude to the US. How have commodities markets resp

Nickel markets look ahead at battery, steel sector stimulus, Indonesian growth

Dec 30 2024 16 mins

Amid sustained supply growth out of Indonesia while higher-cost production shuts down, will the focal point of nickel markets continues to be shifted to the country? Markets looks ahead at China’s stimulus for support to nickel demand from the steel and battery sectors, but will it be sufficient to underpin prices? In this podcast, Asia nonferrous metals team lead Jenson Ong is j

Navigating a new era of shipping environmental regulations

Dec 17 2024 29 mins

As the maritime industry faces a crucial turning point, the adoption of stringent environmental regulations is reshaping fuel consumption and market dynamics. In this episode of Commodities Focus, our Platts experts discuss the implications of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) on shipping operations and the transition to alternative fuels. With the upcoming Fuel

How India's ethanol boom is transforming the country's corn trade flow

Dec 11 2024 11 mins

India is at the crossroads of transitioning from Asia's primary corn exporter to a net importer amidst growing ethanol production within the country. Is this trend of corn imports going to continue, and why is the Indian ethanol market a crucial factor? What challenges stand in the way of this transition? In this podcast, grains and oilseeds price reporter Edward Low is joined by N

After export ban removal, Indian rice enters global markets amid shipping uncertainties

Nov 13 2024 21 mins

The world’s top rice exporter India recently lifted most of the restrictions on its rice exports, which the country placed in July 2023 to control soaring domestic food prices. Price-sensitive rice importers, such as the West African countries, are likely to look towards India as a competitive supplier. However, shipping concerns that impacted the country’s rice exporters rec

The global ripple effects of the 2024 US elections on energy

Oct 16 2024 15 mins

The outcome of the US presidential election in November will have ripple effects for the international energy picture. In the weeks before the election, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are trying to draw contrasts with each other, including on energy and foreign policy. Kate Winston, oil news editor for S&P Global Commodity Insights, discusses oil sanctions, LNG exports and solar ta

How the 2024 elections could reshape US domestic energy policy

Oct 14 2024 25 mins

Political experts say Nov. 5 will likely become known as one of the most pivotal elections in US history. Whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins the presidency, and whether Republicans or Democrats control Congress, the energy sector faces major potential shifts. There will be implications for supply chains, energy infrastructure, and the overall direction of US energy markets.