Precious metals rise on the back of strong economic US data
Prices of precious metals increased on Friday (May 3) after the release of key US jobs data.
COMMODITIES
World wine production reached the highest level in 15 years-OIV
World wine production rose to near-record highs in 2018 after historically low 2017 harvest, though consumption seemed to be slowing down, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) said on Thursday.
South Africa's maize harvest production set to drop in 2019
South Africa is likely to harvest 16 percent less maize in 2019 compared with the previous season after drought conditions delayed plantings in some corn growing areas, a Reuters poll of six traders and market analysts showed on Monday (March 25).
World olive oil market to register a CAGR of over 3% by 2023
The world olive oil market is expected to post a compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
of over 3% during the period 2019-2023, according to the latest market research report by Technavio.
Black pepper prices drop significantly amid rise in output
It looks like 2019 will be another challenging year for black pepper cultivators. Prices of the spice have fallen to their lowest level in about 12 years as Southeast Asian output grows, the Nikkei Asian Review reported on Monday (Feb.25).
China's January aluminum exports soar to their highest since December 2014
China's aluminum exports hit a record high of 552,000 mt in January according to data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs released on Thursday (Feb.14).
World crude steel production reached 1.81bn tonnes in 2018
Global crude steel production reached 1,808.6 million tonnes (Mt) for the year 2018, up by 4.6% compared to 2017, according to a new report by the World Steel Association.
Brazilian coffee crop is seen falling 11.5/18% in 2019/20
Brazilian coffee production is expected to decline in 2019/20 to between 50.48 and 54.48 million bags, the federal government's crop supply agency Conab said.
Ivory Coast cocoa crisis continues
Ivory Coast cocoa bean farmers say their current crop is worsening as they struggle to obtain funding from Ivorian banks. The lack of financing prevents them from properly fermenting and drying beans already stressed by bad weather Reuters reported.
OPEC is losing a long-standing member as Qatar quits the cartel next year
Qatar announced plans to quit OPEC from January, just days before the cartel's Vienna meeting set for December 6.
