Commodity Compass Newsletter Weeks 04-05, 2026
Between Weeks 04 and 05 of 2026, the global commodity markets showed a combination of slow recovery, some price corrections in individual commodities, and a stronger push in metals and energy sectors.
Food and drink commodities
Food and drink commodities showed a relatively mixed performance.
- Beef prices in the US rose from $423.3/lb to $426.9/lb.
- Chicken prices in the US fell from $119.2/lb to $118.4/lb.
- Cocoa prices in the UK fell from GBP 3,285/MT to GBP 2,993/MT.
- Coconut oil prices in Europe rose from $2,150/MT to $2,188/MT.
- Coffee prices in the UK rose from $3,955/MT to $4,048/MT.
- Maize prices in the US rose from 424.9 cents/bushel to 429.0 cents/bushel.
- Palm oil prices in China rose from $1,257/MT to $1,317/MT.
- Rice prices in the US rose from $10.71/CWT to $11.02/CWT.
- Soybean meal prices rose from $294.8/MT to $295.5/MT.
- Soybean oil prices in the US rose from 53.4 cents/lb to 54.1 cents/lb.
- Soybeans prices rose from 1,062 cents/bushel to 1,069 cents/bushel.
- Sugar prices globally fell from 14.79 cents/lb to 14.76 cents/lb.
- Wheat prices in the US rose from 516.3 cents/bushel to 533.0 cents/bushel.
Metals and minerals
Prices of metals and minerals have overall been rising, particularly during Week 05.
- Copper prices in the UK rose from $12,891/MT to $13,283/MT.
- Aluminium prices rose from $3,144/MT to $3,214/MT.
- Nickel prices rose from $18,064/MT to $18,224/MT.
- Iron ore prices in China fell from $106.45/MT to $105.95/MT.
- Lead prices fell from $2,037/MT to $2,023/MT.
- Tin prices in the UK rose from $51,642/MT to $54,865/MT.
- Zinc prices rose from $3,217/MT to $3,384/MT.
Chemical markets
Chemical markets were in better shape than expected with several commodities trending upward.
- Ammonia prices in China fell from $335.6/MT to $324.4/MT.
- Benzene prices in China rose from $821/MT to $869/MT.
- Caustic soda prices in China fell from $97.1/MT to $93.4/MT.
- Ethylene prices in China fell from $686/MT to $679/MT.
- Methanol prices in China rose from $320.2/MT to $328.9/MT.
- Propylene prices in China rose from $883/MT to $920/MT.
- Soda ash prices in China rose from $173.4/MT to $173.8/MT.
Precious metals
The precious metals exhibited their continuous momentum and continued their upward trend.
- Gold prices rose from $4,838/oz to $5,231/oz.
- Platinum prices rose from $2,548/oz to $2,632/oz.
- Silver prices rose from $96.35/oz to $111.14/oz.
Energy sector
The energy sector continued with a steady momentum and strengthened during Week 05.
- Coal prices in the Netherlands rose from $98.3/MT to $98.7/MT.
- Crude oil prices in Europe rose from $64.1/bbl to $67.3/bbl.
- Natural gas prices in the US rose from $4.14/MMBtu to $5.80/MMBtu.
Overall, Weeks 04-05 of 2026 featured sustained increases in metals, precious metals, and energy markets, while food commodities and chemicals demonstrated mixed price movement patterns.