However, more weakness is possible in the near term (from Bloomberg on September 18)…

Copper demand in the world’s biggest user of the metal is slowing down at a time of the year when it usually picks up. The copper market, traditionally a bellwether of economic health, is finding some support from the energy transition and Beijing’s efforts to revitalize growth. But buyers lack conviction and the view from
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The fundamental backdrop also appears supportive of higher commodity prices in the years ahead (from Otavio Costa via X on September 20)…

Since the 1900s we had four notable commodity cycles. Three of them occurred during inflationary periods: 1910s, 1940s, 1970s. The fourth cycle took place in the early 2000s, coinciding with China’s entry into the World Trade Organization and its emergence as the manufacturing hub of the global economy, leading to one of the most extensive
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Global consulting giant McKinsey warns of huge potential shortages in “clean energy” metals (from Bloomberg on July 4)…

McKinsey & Co. joined the growing chorus warning that metals considered key to the clean-energy transition face shortages in coming years, potentially suppressing the adoption of electric cars, wind turbines and solar panels. These deficits likely will slow global decarbonization efforts by raising supply-chain costs and, consequently, the prices of lower-carbon products, McKinsey said in
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Grain prices are rising again after Russia announces an end to Ukraine export deal (from The Wall Street Journal on July 17)…

Russia said it was withdrawing from an international agreement that allowed Ukraine to resume much of its Black Sea grain exports, raising concerns about a key link in the global food supply chain. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the deal had been terminated but that Russia would rejoin the agreement if its demands were met,
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