Commodities Spotlight Podcast

For months, Japan has been suffering from an extremely low availability of its staple food—rice. Despite Tokyo's efforts to mitigate the supply crisis, local rice prices have touched all-time high levels. Other countries are likely to step in to fill the gap but Japan's preference for quality remains in focus.   In this podcast, Asim Anand, managing editor, price reporting, agriculture & food, is joined by Dipanshi Agarwal, agricultural economist, Arif Islam, price reporter and Tanya Rana, senior price reporter to discuss why Japan is facing tightness in rice supplies and what opportunities lie for the US and Thai farmers in terms of trade.

A new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease discovered in Germany earlier this year has reshaped trade flows of European pork and led to significant pricing volatility in the region. Varying government responses to the disease have raised questions about how the European market will fare going forward and whether other global exporters will be able to fill the void left by the reduced EU hog supply. Geopolitical uncertainty has further complicated the situation, with US tariffs coming into force and the ongoing antidumping investigation on EU pork by the Chinese government. Heather Pantling leads an indepth discussion with market experts Sarah Reid, Desiré Sigaudo, and Samyak Pandey as they explore the impacts of Foot and Mouth Disease not only on the economy but also on global trading patterns. Links:Platts Protein AssessmentsEU Pork Marker eur/mt UPML00EU Pork Marker $/mt  EUPMK00 Pork Belly CFR North Asia GPSEB00

As the demand for sustainable protein sources escalates, seafood production is poised to become the fastest-growing sector in the global animal protein markets in 2025. At the forefront of this growth is shrimp, which stands out as a leading sustainable and healthy protein option, capturing the attention of consumers and reshaping the landscape of the animal protein market.  Jason Spaziante, EMEA manager of price reporting for agriculture and food, talks to aquaculture analyst Max Bouratoglou and price reporters Karan Dadure and Felipe Peroni about the evolution and challenges for this growing sector of protein.

Global electric vehicle adoption is increasing the demand for recycled battery raw materials. While the recent slowdown in EV sales growth and an oversupply of battery metals have weighed on battery recycling in some regions, the recognition of black mass as a sustainable source of critical raw materials has cemented its strategic importance in the eyes of global policymakers. In this episode of the Commodities Focus podcast, our experts explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities in battery recycling and black mass markets.

China's latest round of oil product export quotas had tightened compared to the same tranche a year ago. However, healthy margins and strong aviation recovery have pretty much cemented jet fuel's position as the king of the barrel for Chinese exporters, though turbulence remains. S&P Global Commodity Insights' Asia oil news editor, Neo Rong Wei discusses China's latest export quotas and export plans, as well as its impact on regional markets with Market Specialist Daisy Xu and associate price reporter Lee Shu Ling, who covers Asia jet fuel/kerosene markets.

The global methanol market is seeing emerging demand for low-carbon transportation fuels, with particular focus on marine fuels, driven by a need to decarbonize global shipping without disrupting supply chains. While conventional methanol has a history of being used as a transportation fuel, there are many new technologies designed to produce methanol with lower carbon intensity than conventional, oil-based marine fuels. However, cost of production and supply availability remain barriers to adoption. Global research lead for methanol and derivatives Olivier Maronneaud and chemicals price reporter Andre Mikhail discuss methanol's potential as a low-carbon fuel, the current production landscape, and the need for effective regulation to bridge the cost gap between sustainable fuels and fossil. Links:International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association conference International Maritime Organization 83rd meeting eMethanol FOB Rotterdam $/mt FRGMD00 Marine Fuel 0.5% FOB Spore Cargo $/mt AMFSA00

Will US tariffs reshape aluminum trade flows? How will new alumina capacity out of Indonesia impact prices? In this podcast, Asia nonferrous metals team lead Jenson Ong is joined by Louissa Liau, associate price reporter for Asia nonferrous metals, and Lucy Tang, market news specialist for Asia metals to discuss the latest developments across the aluminum value chain.  Related price assessments (subscriber content): MMWAU00   MMWAD04   MMXCY00   MMANA00   AAFGA00   JLCAA00   JLCAD00  

Exporters of chicken meat from the US have been mulling what might happen to their trade in the event of a trade war. Mexico is their largest customer, and Brazil is their largest competitor. However, those US exporters supply fresh, brown chicken meat to Mexico, and they're quietly confident of their ability to hold onto that market. William Bland, EMEA manager of price reporting for agriculture and food, talks to US poultry analyst Kelly Seier and price reporters Luke Lundgren and Beatriz Baltieri about how the market is planning for 2025. Links:  Platts Proteins Price Assessments US Chicken Marker USCM - ATALI00  Chicken Leg FCA Brazil – ATALJ00   

Copper smelter margins have been facing noticeable pressure in recent months as copper concentrate TC/RCs plunged on tight supply, will this mean more production cuts upcoming? Primary copper prices, premiums, and even byproduct sulfuric acid charges, meanwhile, have been rising. Can these offer enough relief to smelters amid record-low TC/RCs? In this podcast, Asia nonferrous metals senior manager price reporting, Mok Yuen Cheng is joined by Asia nonferrous metals senior price reporter Han Lu, minerals and fertilizer associate price reporter Ong Jia Lun, and metals market news specialist Lucy Tang, to discuss the latest happenings in copper and take a closer look at the key drivers in the market.

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 challenges of stagnant economic growth and global steel oversupply. Americas senior metals pricing manager Adriana Carvalho is joined by Mayara Baggio and Camila Martinez, price reporters for Latin America metals, and Abdi Salad, price reporter for EMEA low-carbon and base metals, to discuss the evolving role of Brazil in the ferrous scrap trade.  Links:Subscribe to Platts Connect HMS 1/2 Containerized FOB Brazil $/mt ABUPA00 Shredded Scrap Containerized FOB Brazil $/mt ABUPB00 Platts TSI Shredded Scrap CFR Nhava Sheva India $/mt AAXRQ04

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 their beef operations in response to low prices and higher costs. Luckily, Brazil and Australia are at different stages of the cattle cycle.    In this podcast, William Bland, EMEA manager of price reporting for Agriculture & Food, and Ryan Urie, the global head of meat and livestock research, speak to Kevin Coburn and Renan Araujo about how the market is planning for 2025.    Links: Platts Proteins Price Assessments  Brazil Beef Marker (BBM) - ATALC00  90CL Beef CIF US - ATALB00  90CL FCA Australia – ATALD00 

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-President at S&P Global Commodity Insights, Ranjit Rath, Chairman and Managing Director at Oil India Ltd, and Sambit Mohanty, Asia Energy Editor, will explore key market issues of interest to delegates. They will address India's evolving relationship with non-OPEC producers and outline the strategies India plans to implement in its upstream sector to attract global investors.

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 responded to Trump's actions? What powers do these emergency declarations give Trump to boost production? And how will this reliance on emergencies and executive orders play out down the road as new administrations shift energy policy?  Jeff Mower, director of Americas oil news, discusses the emergency declaration and the executive orders with senior editors Eamonn Brennan, Taylor Kuykendall, Maya Weber and Kate Winston.   Links: Trump's executive orders on trade, immigration signal dealmaking intent (video) Trump's return to office could raise solar panel production costs (video)  FACTBOX: Trump launches round of executive orders to boost energy output (subscriber content)

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 joined by Wang Litian, associate price reporter for Asia nonferrous metals, and Lucy Tang, market news specialist for Asia metals to discuss the latest developments in the nickel space.

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 FuelEU regulations and the establishment of a new Emissions Control Area in the Mediterranean, we delve into how these changes are influencing supply chain strategies and the demand for traditional versus alternative fuels. Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities presented by these regulatory shifts, and gain insights into the future of freight markets amidst an evolving landscape. Links: GSI 10 Dirty Tanker Global Index Suezmax (Non-Scrubber Fitted Non-Eco) - GSTDA00 GSI 10S Dirty Tanker Global Index Suezmax (Scrubber-Fitted Eco) - GSTDB00 Dirty Tanker Basis Global Index VLCC (Non-Scrubber Fitted Non-Eco) - VGIBS00 Dirty Tanker Basis Global Index VLCC (Scrubber-Fitted Eco) - VGIBR00 Interactive: Platts global bunker fuel cost calculator Platts to include EU ETS carbon costs in tanker freight assessments, launching carbon-exclusive rates for two benchmark routes Jan. 2, 2025 - Read more

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 Namarita Kathait, associate editor for Asia agriculture and senior editor for biofuels, Rishab Joshi, and global biofuel news editor Samyak Pandey to discuss the latest developments in India's corn and ethanol markets.

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 recently may continue to add to the trade uncertainties in the coming days as well. In this podcast, Asim Anand, managing editor, agriculture and food and pricing is joined by Tanya Rana, associate editor, agriculture and food pricing, Pranay Shukla, director, head of dry bulk freight & commodities research, and Tanya Kalra, associate editor, Asia container markets, to discuss the factors impacting global rice markets as well as the freight and container outlooks in 2025, and their possible impact on Indian rice trade.    

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 tariffs with reporters Chris Vanmoessner, Corey Paul and Kirsten Errick. They discuss the foreign policy and economic policies of the candidates and how they may impact supplies and prices for oil, gas and solar components across the globe. Links: How the 2024 elections could reshape US domestic energy policy

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.  Jasmin Melvin, senior editor and team lead for The Energy Daily, leads a discussion on what's at stake in the oil, gas, power and metals arenas with Commodity Insights reporters and analysts Zack Hale, Taylor Kuykendall, Starr Spencer and Anna Mosby. They examine the polarizing energy positions from the presidential candidates and how a potentially divided Congress could reshape energy policy.  Links:  Platts Connect - S&P Global Commodity Insights news coverage, pricing and analysis CapIQ - Commodity Insights Americas news

India has maintained its position as the world's largest producer of direct-reduced iron (DRI) for several years. As the global race to accelerate energy transition efforts intensifies, DRI has gained prominence due to its potential for reducing carbon emissions in energy-intensive sectors like steel. Recognized as a key pathway to 'green steel,' DRI offers various low-carbon steelmaking alternatives. Walking the DRI path is expected to help India's steel industry to lower its emissions. Capturing this evolving and dynamic market in India, S&P Global Commodity Insights' Platts has launched a daily pellet-based Indian domestic direct reduced iron spot price assessment on an ex-works Raipur, Chhattisgarh basis. Related: Indian domestic direct reduced iron price assessment  

In the global wheat markets, recent concerns over a major production cut in Russia, a key exporter, have sparked attention on the supply and demand dynamics. Neighbouring European producers are also facing similar concerns. Meanwhile, in Canada and Australia, weather developments in recent months have played a significant role in shaping production prospects. While, on the demand side, key importing regions such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Asia are experiencing challenges as well. In this podcast, Lalita AVD, editor, agriculture news, talks to Vivien Tang, senior editor, APAC agriculture and food Pricing, Vivian Iroanya, editor, EMEA agriculture and food pricing, and Ashya Kaderabek-vela, associate editor, Americas agriculture pricing about the potential implications of the production cut in Russia and analyze how other key wheat exporters, such as Canada and Australia, could step up to fill in the supply gap. Russian Wheat 12.5% FOB Black Sea Deep Water (WRBSD00)  CWRS Wheat 13.5% FOB Vancouver (30-45 days forward) (AWHCD00)  APW Wheat FOB Australia (WAUSA00) 

With high temperatures moving through the US, multiple regions are preparing for gas and power price volatility. Gas supply constraints or cooling demand could result in power demand spikes. Data centers have been increasing power and gas requirements in some areas, power generators have been competing for gas supplies with LNG terminals along the Gulf Coast, and high gas storage levels in Southern California could lower gas and power prices from past summers. Americas gas editorial lead J Robinson and senior power editor Jared Anderson discuss these factors in the natural gas and power market outlook for summer 2024.   Links:Register for the Financing US Power Conference

Global container markets have endured a year of volatility not experienced since the global pandemic in 2020-2021, anchored by the complexity for supply chains as carriers loop around the Cape of Good Hope. Now that demand is ushering back into markets in a period of restocking, rates have surged upwards for North and South American import markets from Asia, with some suggesting that the ceiling has not yet been reached heading into Q3. In the midst of all of this is an uncertain geopolitical environment, where impending tariffs imposed by the US government on Chinese goods have influenced volume shifting in this upward drive.

Meat consumption is soaring globally, driven by population growth, rising incomes, and dietary preferences. As emerging markets embrace protein-rich diets, demand for feed grains intensifies, and the weather, government policy, animal disease and other factors can have major impact on both industries.  For the second installment of this two-part series focusing on global beef and poultry markets, Will Bland resumes the conversation, this time with agriculture managing editors Liz Thang and Asim Anand. The team turns the spotlight to Asia and the Middle East, where most of the world's population and livestock live. Links:  Press Release: S&P Global Commodity Insights Launches New Platts Price Assessments for Poultry, Beef Proteins Price Assessments: S&P Global Commodity Insights Live

Grilling season is underway in the US -- the world's largest producer and consumer of beef. Even so, per capita consumption of beef in the US has halved over the last 50 years. The US can now produce more beef with fewer head of cattle, but it has become reliant on imported beef. And Brazil has a herd of some 235 million head and now supplies the world.  In this first installment of a two-part series focusing on global beef and poultry markets, EMEA agriculture and food manager William Bland speaks with Americas agriculture managers John-Laurent Tronche and Rafael Savoia about these changing dynamics.   Links: Press Release: S&P Global Commodity Insights Launches New Platts Price Assessments for Poultry, Beef Proteins Price Assessments: S&P Global Commodity Insights Live

As election fever grips the UK, this Commodities Focus podcast looks at the country's oil refineries as they grapple with the fast-changing process of energy transition, including shifting government targets, shrinking diesel demand, the rise of sustainable aviation fuel, and unrelenting competitive pressure from giant refiners around the world. In this new instalment of the Commodities Focus podcast focusing on UK energy policy, Nick Coleman, senior editor for oil news, is joined by managing editor for downstream oil news Robert Perkins, senior analyst for global oil markets Rebeka Foley, and downstream oil news reporter Kelly Norways.  

The expansion in the Indian steel manufacturing capacity comes at an opportune moment for the industry as the country has witnessed massive infrastructure projects like construction of national highways over the past few years. Now, with the general elections underway in the country and if the incumbent government comes back to power, the thrust on infrastructure would likely receive continued boost on account of policy continuity.    Even though India has unseated Japan as the second largest producer of steel in the world over the past few years, steel production is quite a capital-intensive business, and a large chunk of production costs is driven by prices of raw materials. In such a scenario, the question arises if the Indian steel sector is comfortably placed in terms of having access to conventional and non-conventional raw materials going ahead.  In this discussion, Anirudh Iyer, steel and raw materials is joined byKeith Tan, associate regional pricing director for Asia metals, Rohan Somwanshi, managing editor for global agriculture and metals news and Paul Barthomolew, lead analyst for metals and mining, to share their views on what lies ahead for the Indian steel sector.

The rice markets in Asia have seen new trends emerging with Indonesia importing rice, and India putting restrictions on their rice exports. Ripple effects have been felt in other major growing rice growing countries such as Pakistan and Thailand. In this Commodities Focus episode, Elizabeth Thang, Managing Editor for Food and Agriculture is joined by three rice experts from S&P Global Commodity Insights, Tanya Rana and Elvis John, associate editors with the agriculture markets and Mugunthan Kesavan, Engagement lead for food and agriculture to discuss some key questions—how the markets are reacting to Indonesia's return to the market as an importer, what the industry is anticipating about the rice export ban in India ahead of elections in the country, and more.

As a UK general election looms, energy security and the transition to net-zero are high on the agenda. In this episode of the Commodities Focus podcast, our experts sift through the policy options, from windfall taxes to licensing bans, and discuss why they matter, not just for the UK, but for Europe and beyond. Nick Coleman, senior editor for oil news, is joined by Gethin Baker, senior technical research analyst specialising in the North Sea, and Stuart Elliott, news reporter focusing on the UK and European gas markets. Related Price Assessments:  PCAAS00 Dated Brent GTFTX00 Dutch TTF Eur/MWh Day Ahead

Pressured by sub-$2/MMBtu prices, many US producers have decided to cut spending on gas-directed drilling and completion activity and to scale back production in 2024. But there are signs of price improvement along the futures curve in late 2024 and thereafter, due in part to the arrival of new LNG facilities, giving operators reason for optimism. In this episode, Jeremy Beaman, natural gas news editor, talks with Bryan Mcnamara and Imre Kugler, directors of upstream research about how natural gas producers are approaching a difficult price environment and what their plans are for 2024 and 2025. Register for Global Power Markets    

Red sea crisis has forced carriers and shippers alike to adjust strategies. Container freight rates not only reached yearly high after receding throughout 2023 but carriers also seized a profit making opportunity they were looking for after the post pandemic lull. The change in this dynamic has forced shippers to again look for alternatives in the hopes of making their supply chain more agile. S&P Global Commodity Insights containers editor Tanya Kalra speaks with Chris Rogers, Head of Supply Chain and Research, S&P Global Market Intelligence, Greg Knowler, Senior Editor, Journal of Commerce and Mohammed Al Ansare, Associate Editor, EMEA Containers, S&P Global Commodity Insights about the changing dynamics in the containers market and how carriers and shippers are navigating through them. 

Lithium producers are pushing timelines out for project development in North America as global lithium prices sit near a three-year low after plunging from record levels in 2022. The change in sentiment has cooled off a red-hot market and cast doubt on the future of domestic lithium supply for North America's electric vehicles and other energy transition applications. S&P Global Commodity Insights metals editor Nick Lazzaro speaks with Viral Shah, managing editor for low carbon and base metals in EMEA, and Adriana Carvalho, senior managing editor for Americas metals markets, about the changing dynamics in global lithium markets this year, new pricing trends in the US, and the future prospects for North American lithium supply. Register for Global Power Markets Conference S&P Global Commodity Insights events

Wheat prices have been on a largely downward trend since the start of 2024 despite lower production in key exporters, Canada and Australia, and continued logistics concerns due to the wars in the Black Sea and the Red Sea. Does this imply the weight of a larger global supply in the year ahead and that the markets have adapted to a new normal amidst geopolitical tensions? Or are there choppier waves to come?   In this podcast, Vivien Tang, associate grains editor, grains, Victoria Sinitsyna, associate director, Grains Analytics and Nikolaos Aidinis Antonopoulos, senior freight pricing specialist discuss the potential challenges faced by the wheat markets and provide an outlook on global wheat production and freight markets in 2024.

The Asian copper market saw CIF China copper concentrate TC/RC fall by 65% in just three months' time, while smelters were still not able to find enough feedstocks to meet their production needs. As copper concentrate market changed from surplus to deficit and copper price is still hovering at $8100-$8500/mt level, our experts discuss what happened behind the price, share the outlook for copper concentrate and copper cathodes.  S&P Global Commodity Insights senior managing editor Mok Cheng speaks with senior copper analyst Wang Ruilin and senior price editor Han Lu about the factors driving copper concentrate TC/RCs movement, implications for copper cathodes and copper price, and what we would expect in 2024.

Following on from heavy winter storms in recent years that disrupted power supply across US regions, power markets managed a mid-January 2024 winter storm with elevated prices and a few demand records, but no large-scale power outages. S&P Global Commodity Insights reporters Mark Watson, Jared Anderson, Kassia Micek and Tom Tiernan discuss how grid operators are applying lessons learned from past winter storms and benefitting from policy directives on winterization of equipment.  World Petrochemical Conference

Over the past 20 years, Brazil's growth in the production of feedstuffs like soybeans and corn has been remarkable. In the process, it has become a powerhouse exporter. To accomplish this, it took the convergence of Brazil modernizing its agricultural production and transportation systems along with the equally meteoric demand growth of a willing buyer, China.  S&P Global Commodity Insights' chief agricultural economist Paul Hughes speaks with feed and grains senior analyst Anamaria Martins and grains and oilseeds pricing manager Rafael Savoia about the factors behind this astounding transformation, the implications for world trade, the beneficiaries, and what is likely ahead. White paper: How China's aging demographics will affect food and agricultural commodities (subscriber content)

Asian aluminum markets continue to see lackluster demand and ample stocks pressuring premiums, though the sporadic reopening of the Chinese import arbitrage window is providing support across the region. Further upstream in the alumina markets, flat demand remains a drag on prices globally, but cost pressures and output curtailments are keeping significant declines at bay.   As the market looks at what's ahead for 2024, YuenCheng Mok, Senior Managing Editor of Asia nonferrous metals at S&P Global Commodity Insights discusses the key developments in the Asian alumina and aluminum markets with Jenson Ong and Germaine Lee from the Asia nonferrous metals team, and Lucy Tang, market specialist for Metals.   In this podcast, find out what's in-store in the near term for these markets.

Chinese copper markets are showing signs of recovering from the slump that hit the industry in the second quarter pf this year. The clean concentrate spot TCs are declining on increased demand for cargoes and cathode import interest are improving on tighter spot supplies. As the market heads into negotiation season, YuenCheng Mok, Senior Managing Editor of nonferrous metals at S&P global Commodity Insights discusses the key trends in the Chinese copper concentrate and cathode markets with Jesline Tang, Editor with the nonferrous metals team and Han Lu, senior editor with the team.  Find out what's in-store in the near term for these markets and the expectations for 2024 benchmark levels. More listening options:    

With bearish fundamentals characterizing the global LNG market, what role will US exporters play for Europe this winter? Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 and subsequent decoupling between LNG and natural gas in Europe, the US has played an even larger role in the region's energy security.  Global LNG markets have changed dramatically over the past year, with the record prices and extreme volatility of 2022 giving way to more bearish fundamentals ahead of the coming winter. Under those circumstances, what role will US exporters play for Europe this winter? Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 and subsequent decoupling between LNG and natural gas in Europe, the US has played an even larger role in the region's energy security.  In this podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights' Americas and Atlantic LNG experts Corey Paul and Margaret Rogers examine how well the US is placed as a supplier this winter as Europe navigates another peak demand season following the loss of Russian pipeline gas.  Related prices: LNG FOB US Gulf Coast Cargo (LGCSM01) LNG DES Northwest Europe Marker (AASXU00) LNG DES JKM Spot Cargo (AAOVQ00)

High density polyethylene product consumption and market behavior are key indicators for consumer spending. The US and major export outlet Asia are climbing out of a price slump created by HDPE oversupply, attractive cost margins and slow-to-recover demand. With about 1.5 million mt/year of North American ethane-advantaged capacity starting between September and Q1 2024, run rate discipline will be crucial, especially as low prices encourage virgin resin substitution for recyclers despite impending sustainability targets in the US. Global polymers pricing lead Kristen Hays leads a discussion with global sustainable chemicals lead Heng Hui, US polyethylene editor Colleen Ferguson and US recycled polymers senior editor Antoinette Smith about the main drivers behind HDPE prices and what market participants expect in the short-term as the supply and demand dynamic struggles to find equilibrium. Related prices: HDPE Blowmolding FAS Houston (AAWCZ00) Recycled HDPE Natural Pellets FOB Chicago (ARNPA00) DON'T MISS: Chemical Week's Billion-Dollar Club: Ranking the world's top chemical producers

Draft reduction at the Neopanamax locks and limitations on daily transits at the Panamax lock system have resulted in longer wait times to transit the Panama Canal. Shipowners have been raising freight costs to seek reimbursement for higher transit and demurrage fees; lightering ships by offloading cargo before crossing; or rerouting ships via alternative but longer routes.  S&P Global Commodity Insights' Barbara Troner, Americas freight senior managing editor, discusses these impacts with Americas tankers reporter Catherine Rogers, containers reporter Laura Robb, and dry bulk reporter Nikolaos Aidinis Antonopoulos. The group discusses how shipping markets have been impacted by the El Niño-induced water conservation measures responding to the extended dry season in the Panama Canal watershed, and what remedial steps shipowners can take to navigate the logistical bottleneck potentially continuing well into 2024.  Prices in this episode: PCR0500 – North Asia-EC North America $/FEU freight (containers) GRNOQ00 - DBF Grain New Orleans Louisiana US Gulf Coast-Qingdao China 66kt $/mt Panamax (dry bulk) GRNOJ00 - DBF Grain New Orleans Louisiana US Gulf Coast-Kashima Japan 50kt $/mt Supramax (dry bulk) TCAUX00 – Medium Range 38kt USGC-Chile Lumpsum freight (tankers) Subscribe to Platts Dimensions Pro

A sluggish start to the peak summer demand season has disrupted the global recycled PET markets, with subpar demand from beverage bottling in North America, squeezed margins, stiff competition from virgin resin and pessimism running rampant.  S&P Global Commodity Insights' Heng Hui, global market lead for sustainable chemicals, Lee Joon lei, associate editor for petrochemicals, Charlie Wright also an associate editor and Antoinette Smith, senior editor, Americas chemicals discuss the current RPET conditions and provide a look ahead at the rest of the year and early 2024. DON'T MISS: Chemical Week's Billion-Dollar Club: Ranking the world's top chemical producers UPCOMING: APPEC 2023 -- register yourself today!  We want to hear about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our podcast survey here and share your thoughts: https://www.surveylegend.com/s/4xyz More listening options:

US Henry Hub natural gas prices have averaged just $2.43/MMBtu this year, pushing many producers close to, or even below, their breakeven price. Mild weather and weak gas demand this past winter were largely to blame, triggering a selloff that dropped gas prices from historic highs. US gas producers were slow to respond to the selloff, however, and only recently cut rigs, slowed new well starts and dialed back completions. At over 102 Bcf/d, though, US gas production remains near record highs this summer. Will recent capex cuts be enough to balance the market? S&P Global Commodity Insights' J. Robinson, editorial lead for the Americas natural gas news team, sits down with Reed Olmstead, executive director of research and analysis for upstream, and Jeremy Beaman, editor for the American natural gas team, to discuss the outlook for US output as domestic operators readjust to leaner margins.  We want to hear about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our podcast survey here and share your thoughts: https://www.surveylegend.com/s/4xyz

It's been a rough couple of years for US corn and soybeans. 2022 brought drought, record-low Mississippi River water levels, and ultimately sky-high grains and oilseeds prices. The 2023 planting season was initially met with dry weather, causing concern of low yields come harvest time, but have conditions turned around since then and if not, what would that mean for prices and for domestic and export demand? S&P Global Commodity Insights' Jennifer Pedrick, Pete Meyer, Paul Hughes and Luke Lundgren examine the progress of these crops so far in the crop year, and look toward the possible outcomes of the upcoming harvest on the US market and trade flows in South America and around the globe.  We want to hear about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our podcast survey here and share your thoughts: https://www.surveylegend.com/s/4xyz

A year after a historic short squeeze sent LME nickel metal prices soaring above $100,000/mt, industry players remain divided over their pricing preferences in the nickel market with some still referencing the LME, while Chinese market participants have largely moved to other alternatives such as sulfate-basis pricing and SHFE nickel.  Following the Indonesian government's announcement of its plan to develop a nickel index, as well as proposed changes from the LME to strengthen its legacy position, what are the potential implications for the nickel market, and how could near-term supply-demand fundamentals influence this?  Leah Chen, editor of the S&P Global Commodity Insights non-ferrous team discusses the impact of the black swan event as well as recent developments in the nickel industry with Jesline Tang, editor of battery metals pricing team, and Charles Thompson, editor of EMEA nickel, aluminum and secondary alloys.   Related price assessments: Nickel sulfate DDP China BATNS04  MHP CIF NA basis LME BATMC00  MHP CIF NA basis NS BATMB00 (percentage)  MHP CIF NA basis NS BATMA00   MHP CIF NA basis NSME00   MHP CIF NA basis LME BATMD00 (percentage)    We want to hear about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our podcast survey here and share your thoughts: https://www.surveylegend.com/s/4xyz

Up to two-thirds of North America is at an elevated risk of electricity shortfalls this summer in extreme conditions with a high load and high outages, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. Conventional plants are retiring faster than the needed transmission and generation can be built, and there are questions about whether the natural gas system is up to the task of supplying fuel to gas-fired generators needed for reliability. S&P Global Commodity Insights' Kate Winston, a senior editor for Americas power news, discussed reliability with John Moura, the director of reliability assessment at NERC. Joining the discussion were Mason Lester, a senior research analyst with SPGCI, and Daryna Kotenko, the team lead for North American power pricing at SPGCI. We want to hear about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our podcast survey here and share your thoughts: https://www.surveylegend.com/s/4xyz Subscribe to Platts Dimensions Pro

China was among the last to lift COVID restrictions at the close of 2022, but its polymer exports remain elevated amid continued sluggish domestic demand, creating more global competition for limited pockets of demand. India has been a bright spot in the region given its demand, but not enough to fill the gap left by China. Those global flows continue to force US sellers and prices to compete as all chase the same thin pockets of demand, particularly with new polymer capacity coming online in the next few months that will push more material into export markets. Kristen Hays, global market lead for polymers at S&P Global Commodity Insights, sat down with three polymer market experts at SPGCI to discuss the state of play as a rebound in China's domestic demand remains key to buyers and sellers worldwide. Joining Hays were Heng Hui, senior editor in Singapore whose coverage includes Asian polyethylene, and Fumiko Dobashi, also a senior editor in Singapore whose coverage includes Asian polyvinyl chloride, and Preeti Bhagat, associate editor in Gurgaon, India, who covers India's polyethylene and PVC markets.

Australia, one of the world's leading wheat exporters, has produced three bumper wheat harvests in a row, and with the prospect of an extension of the Black Sea grain corridor deal fading by the day, the country is emerging as a reliable wheat supplier to Asian markets. In this episode of the Commodities Focus podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights agriculture news senior editor Asim Anand discusses the outlook for Australian wheat with associate editor Vivien Tang, senior pricing specialist Nikolaos Aidinis Antonopoulos and editor Sampad Nandy. The panel considers whether Australian wheat has an edge over its competitors and supply prospects for the upcoming marketing year, as well as diving into the ambiguity surrounding the Black Sea grain trade deal and the impacts on the Asian market if the deal is not renewed on May 18.

From a dramatic shift in oil trade flows to a series of clean fuel policy reforms, India's energy sector has  been in the spotlight recently. With the country poised for massive growth in energy consumption, lawmakers and corporates are preparing for an energy future that will aim to strike a balance between traditional oil and gas businesses, while making greater inroads into hydrogen, biofuels and electric mobility sectors. In a wide-ranging discussion with Sambit Mohanty, Asia Energy Editor at S&P Global Commodity Insights, Pulkit Agarwal, India head of content, Deepak Kannan, head of global coal markets, and Agamoni Ghosh, senior editor for carbon markets, discuss whether India's heavy reliance on fossil fuels could create hurdles in moving towards cleaner fuels at the desired pace.

The issues impacting US power markets seem to be widespread and far-reaching lately. Since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed in August, it's really taken over discussions at energy conferences due to its far-reaching impacts. But US power markets are also facing reliability concerns from extreme weather events, transmission permitting and the interconnection queue backlog, and massive growth in battery storage capacity. S&P Global Commodity Insights' Kassia Micek, Mark Watson, Morris Greenberg, and Sam Huntington discuss the biggest topics impacting US power markets right now and what progress has been made regarding change. Related price assessments: Lithium Carbonate CIF North Asia (BATLC04) ERCOT North Hub day-ahead on-peak (IERNM00) Powder River Basin 8,800 OTC (CTAOM01) CAISO SP15 Gen Hub solar capture price index (ACPID00)

The gene editing system is being used extensively by the private and public sectors to develop new traits of interest in crops. To date, more than 500 products are being developed worldwide using the technology and are at different stages of product development, with more than a dozen of gene edited grain and oilseeds having authorization for cultivation in the US. In this episode, S&P Global Commodity Insights' Sophie Byron (associate editorial director, agriculture pricing), Bharti Malhotra (research and analytics manager and lead author of gene editing report), Alan Bullion (special reports and projects director for Agribusiness, co-author of report), and Pete Meyer (crops and feedstock economist) discuss the fast-growing world of gene-edited crops and how this technology is being perceived globally to resolve the biggest challenges of food security, energy security, and sustainability.  Register for the European Biofuels Conference here Register for the Geneva Sugar Conference here