Commodities Focus

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

Last refreshed: June 13th, 2026 at 11:37 AM

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Episodes

India's renewable hydrogen projects face cost, delay risks from global conflicts

India has established a strong foothold in the emerging clean fuels industry, leveraging its low-cost renewable energy resources to position itself as a competitively priced producer of renewable hydrogen and ammonia for both domestic industrial use and large-scale exports to buyers seeking to secure future supplies of low-carbon fuels. However, recent geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, have disrupted supply chains and pushed up costs, posing risks to project timelines and c...

May 27, 2026•29 min

Global wheat markets on edge as war, weather, and fertilizer shocks drive new rally

Global wheat prices have been rising since the Middle East war began in late February. Geopolitical tensions, higher fertilizer costs, and mounting weather risks in North America, and a potential El Niño in Australia are all in focus. At the same time, Black Sea new-crop wheat is competing with Australian origin in Asia, while strong crop prospects in the Middle East and North Africa are reshaping expectations for trade flows and demand. Join Maham Quadri, associate price reporter, North America...

May 19, 2026•17 min

Copper markets react to high sulfuric acid prices, Middle East conflict

Copper TC/RCs have plunged 89% since January, hitting record lows as concentrate supply tightens and demand stays firm. At the same time, the Middle East war has driven sulfuric acid prices – an important by-product for copper production - up 156% since mid-March, supporting copper smelters to maintain production, and exposing copper's growing vulnerability to geopolitical shocks. Join Ruilin Wang, associate director of nonferrous market, Yuya Pan, senior principal analyst of sulphur & phosp...

May 15, 2026•18 min

Mounting risks for global beef prices: what's driving market uncertainty?

Global beef prices are rising, with multiple record highs recorded for beef from Australia and Brazil, as well as in the US lean trimmings import market during the first quarter. Although strong US demand has supported the market, the global beef industry is facing challenges related to quotas and geopolitical risks. In this podcast, we will shed light on the increasing risks affecting the beef trade. Join S&P Global Energy's Edward Low and Chow Yuh Nien, price reporters for agriculture and ...

Apr 16, 2026•13 min

India's solar market faces export hurdles, pivots to domestic power

The Indian solar market has grown considerably over the past decade as the country continues to invest in its module and cell manufacturing capacities. However, the recent imposition of additional duties by the country's largest export market – the US – has restricted India's export opportunities. In response, the Indian solar industry is increasingly redirecting their efforts towards the domestic market, while simultaneously exploring new international prospects. Join Lena Dias Martins, associa...

Apr 15, 2026•13 min

In the fast-growing Brazilian I-RECs market, what challenges and opportunities lie ahead?

With one of the world's largest shares of renewables in its energy generation mix, Brazil offers opportunities for companies in the country seeking to reduce their emissions. In this episode, we discuss how the country has developed a large supply of International Renewable Energy Certificates, or I-RECs, and which challenges came with it. Join Felipe Peroni, associate price reporter at S&P Global Energy, Fernando Lopes, director of Totum Institute, and Vittoria Morini, Americas Renewables M...

Apr 06, 2026•26 min

Unpacking the global poultry price flip: Why are chicken legs now pricier than breast meat?

For the first time since Platts began tracking these markets, frozen boneless chicken legs shipped to North Asia are priced higher than skinless boneless breast meat destined for the Middle East. This shift highlights changing demand and supply dynamics in the global poultry market. The podcast explores the impact of bird flu, supply chain disruptions, and how producers like Brazil are adapting to consumer preferences. Join S&P Global Energy's Graham Style, price reporter for agriculture and...

Mar 24, 2026•11 min

Decarbonizing India's industrial, power sectors: challenges and roadmaps

India's greenhouse gas emissions in the hard-to-abate and power sectors are expected to rise in the decades to come, necessitating an examination of strategies deployed for energy transition in these crucial segments. Though steps have been initiated to help reduce emissions, a bespoke, sector-specific decarbonization roadmap over a multi-year timeframe can help guide this journey. Join Amit Sharma, managing director & chief executive officer at Tata Consulting Engineers, Ashish Singla, dire...

Mar 18, 2026•33 min

Asian MTBE arbitrage flows wrecked by Middle East conflict

Asian flows of MTBE to arbitrage markets in Europe and Latin America have come to an abrupt halt after the start of the US-Iran war. Through early 2026, Chinese MTBE producers were able to overcome muted blending demand around Singapore by pushing their production to hungry buyers in Europe as well as Latin America. With the European summer driving season on the horizon, Asian MTBE producers were eyeing growing demand over the next few months. The podcast dissects and discusses how the initial f...

Mar 17, 2026•16 min

US aluminum market digests tariff-induced volatility at Platts Symposium

In this episode of the Commodities Focus Podcast by S&P Global Energy, host Tina Allagh, lead specialist for nonferrous metals pricing, is joined by senior nonferrous price reporter Colleen Ferguson, metals news reporter Anthony Rizkala and principal aluminum analyst Karen Norton to review the key industry and pricing takeaways from the Miami symposium Feb. 1-3. How has the current macroeconomic backdrop, with 50% import duties in place since June, impacted sentiment within the domestic alum...

Feb 13, 2026•12 min

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