The US-Israeli war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are triggering a massive oil and gas supply disruption, hitting crude, natural gas, and refined fuels at once. The reported daily output lost is being described as unprecedented, surpassing earlier major shocks and raising concerns about rapid price and availability swings worldwide.
Jefferies says gold has moved into a consolidation phase after a strong retail-led buying surge that peaked late last year and continued into early this year. The report points to broad demand across major markets including India, China, and the United States, suggesting the recent rally may be pausing rather than accelerating.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Fertilizer prices are surging, hitting key agricultural economies as urea and phosphate become harder and costlier to source. Major exporters are curbing sales to manage shortages and earnings, while importing countries hunt for alternative supplies, raising the risk of a wider food crisis if the imbalance persists.
Global steel demand is forecast to grow only 0.3% in 2026, dragged down by China, even as India is expected to stand out in the demand rebound in 2027. Steel prices are still climbing due to higher raw-material costs, tighter supply, and geopolitical risks. Aluminium is gaining, while copper, zinc and nickel edge lower amid volatility.
Coffee farmers in Vietnam’s main growing belt are selling at lower rates as overall trade slows and demand remains thin. Some Indonesian robusta is moving at more competitive premium levels, putting pressure on local pricing. A near-term fertilizer shortage is not yet evident, but concerns are growing if the Iran conflict drags on longer.
Gold held in Dubai is being sold at notable discounts as conflict across the Middle East disrupts flights and shipping. With delivery costs and timelines uncertain, buyers are holding back, pushing traders to price bullion up to $30 per ounce below global benchmarks. Some shipments still move, but delays are affecting India’s physical availability even as inventories remain adequate.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
India’s finance ministry says it is closely monitoring global commodity price swings triggered by the Russia Ukraine war, especially pressures affecting crude oil costs. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhury added the government supports moves to release from Strategic Petroleum Reserves, aiming to reduce volatility and help calm rising fuel prices in markets.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.