The World Bank - Working for a world free of poverty

Syndicate content

Jobs in the World Economy

Arab Voices and Views

Commodity price data

World Bank published latest commodity prices: January 2012

Submitted by John Baffes, co-authors: Betty Dow on Fri, 01/06/2012 - 16:05
On Prospects for Development

In December 2011 all commodity price indices fell. Energy prices dropped by 1.2%, non-energy prices declined further by 2.7%, food fell by 2.9%, beverages by 6.1%, raw materials by 1.8%, metals by 0.6% and fertilizers by 9.0%.  The US dollar appreciated 3.0% against the euro and 0.9% against a broad index of currencies.


To access recent and long-term historical prices and other commodity-related information, please click here.


Indices of Nominal US$ Prices, Percent Changes (November to December 2011).


World Bank published latest commodity prices: December 2011

Submitted by John Baffes, co-authors: Betty Dow on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:25
On Prospects for Development

In November energy prices rose by 4.5%. Non-energy prices extended their decline by 3.3%; food prices slipped by 0.8%; beverages declined by 3.3%; raw materials prices plummeted by 11.2%; metals fell by 2.5%; fertilizers dropped by 1.8%. The US dollar appreciated 1.3% against the euro and 0.6% against a broad index of currencies.

To access recent and long-term historical prices and other commodity-related information, please click here.

World Bank published latest commodity prices: November 2011

Submitted by John Baffes, co-authors: Betty Dow on Thu, 11/03/2011 - 14:06
On Prospects for Development

Energy prices in October edged down 1%.  Non-energy prices sharply extended their decline by 7.6%; food prices fell by 5.4%; beverages down by 7.3%; raw materials prices dropped by 6.3%; metals plummeted by 11.2%; fertilizers remained unchanged.  The US dollar appreciated 0.1% against the euro and 0.9% against a broad index of currencies.


Indices of Nominal US$ Prices, Percent  Changes (September to October 2011).



To access recent and long-term historical prices and other commodity-related information, please click here.

World Bank publishes latest commodity prices: May 2011

Submitted by John Baffes, co-authors: Betty Dow on Wed, 05/04/2011 - 16:42
On Prospects for Development

Commodity prices (measured in U.S. dollars) mostly higher in April 2011.  Energy prices jumped by 6.5%.  Non-energy prices increased by 2.0%; food prices edged up by 0.9%; beverages fell by 1.8%; raw materials prices rose by 4.1%; metals and minerals increased by 2.2%. The US dollar depreciated 3.1% against the euro and 1.7% against a broad index of currencies. 


To access recent  and long-term historical prices please click here.


Look out for next week's posting on Global Commodity Watch which will provide indepth analysis on these prices and commodity price forecasts.

Global Commodity Watch - January 2011

Submitted by John Baffes, co-authors: Betty Dow on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 13:10
On Prospects for Development

Non-energy commodity prices rose for a sixth straight month in December, up 4.8 percent, despite a 3 percent gain in the value of the dollar versus the euro. For the year 2010, non-energy commodity prices were up 32 percent (compared to December 2009), with strong gains in most main indices.

Crude oil prices increased 6.5 percent in December, up for a fifth month, averaging $90.0/bbl. For much of 2010, oil prices were quite stable, but a rise in the fourth quarter helped generate a 20 percent gain for the year. In early January crude prices rose above $94/bbl, with Brent topping $98/bbl. Strong global distillate demand continued to pull crude prices higher, partly due to cold weather. The price of WTI in the U.S., however, has been atypically lagging Brent by some $6/bbl recently due to high stocks in Cushing OK, the delivery point for the WTI futures contracts on the NYMEX.

Agriculture prices rose 5.4 percent in December, up for a seventh straight month, and 28 percent for the year. The largest annual gains were for raw materials (cotton and rubber) and fats & oils.  The latter also led the way in December, with coconut and palmkernel oil prices up 12-13 percent on lower palmkernel output in Asia. Palm oil and soybean oil prices were higher on weather-related supply problems for palm oil in Indonesia, and deteriorating soybean crops in Argentina. Wheat prices rose 12 percent on lower exports by key producers. Rubber prices rose 10 percent on supply shortfalls in Asia, while cotton prices rose 9 percent on low stocks and supply constraints.

Base metal prices rose 6.0 percent in December, up for a sixth straight month, and 26 percent for the year. The largest annual increase was for tin, up 68 percent, due to strong demand in China and lower output in Indonesia and China. Among precious metals, silver prices surged 66 percent in 2010 on strong investment demand, while gold prices were up 23 percent to a record nominal high. In December, silver prices recorded the strongest gain of all metals, up 11 percent, on continued strong investor interest as a hedge against various financial and political concerns. Copper prices rose 8 percent to a record nominal high, as supplies continue to be constrained, the latest incident being closure of a main port in Chile due to an accident. 

 

Get detailed analysis and commodities prices datasets:

For price data and detailed analysis on commodities price movements in December, click here (pdf).
To download the World Bank's historical price data, click here (spreadsheet).
To download the World Bank's Commodity Price Data, click here (spreadsheet).

 

Global Commodity Watch - December 2010

Submitted by John Baffes, co-authors: Betty Dow on Tue, 12/21/2010 - 16:51
On Prospects for Development

Non-energy commodity prices rose for a fifth straight month in November, up 3.4 percent, despite slight strengthening of the dollar. There was large volatility during the month, with prices of many exchange traded commodities peaking early in November then declining sharply before recovering more recently.

 

Crude oil prices increased 3.4 percent in November, up for a fourth month, averaging $84.5/bbl. However, prices surged to nearly $90/bbl in early December, due to higher refining runs and falling stocks. Strong distillate demand globally has been augmented by cold weather in Europe and, more recently, in the U.S. Distillate demand in China surged because of policy measures to meet energy efficiency goals under the 11th Five-Year Plan during 2005-2010.  Local Chinese authorities have cut off power to large industrial users, who have turned to diesel power generators. OPEC meets December 11th and is not expected to raise quotas, as prices remain in the broad $70-90/bbl range that OPEC ministers deem comfortable.

Agriculture prices rose 5.3 percent in November, up a sixth straight month, with strong gains in most indices, particularly fats & oils and raw materials. Since end-November wheat prices surged 21 percent on concerns that heavy rains in Australia will reduce production. Groundnut oil prices jumped 30 percent in November due to lower production in Argentina and export ban in India. Other main oilseeds prices posted strong increases due to strong Chinese import demand and various weather-related supply shortfalls this year. Cotton prices surged 22 percent on strong demand and low global stocks, while rubber prices climbed 10 percent as wet weather in Asia curbed supply.

 

 

Base metal prices rose 0.8 percent in November, up a fifth straight month, with gains in copper outweighing declines in all other metals. Copper prices rose 2.1 percent (rising above $9000/ton in early December) on falling inventories, slow mine supply growth, and expectations of the potential impact of physically-backed exchange traded funds (ETFs). ETF Securities announced that they will launch the first physically-backed ETFs for copper, nickel and tin on December 10 in London, and that ETFs in aluminum, lead and zinc will be available in 2011. Among precious metals, silver prices increased 13.2 percent on strong investment and industrial demand, the former partly a hedge against potential inflation. 

 

Get detailed analysis and commodities prices datasets:

For price data and detailed analysis on commodities price movements in November, click here (pdf).
To download the World Bank's historical price data, click here (spreadsheet).
To download the World Bank's Commodity Price Data, click here (spreadsheet).

footermenu