Commodity Compass Newsletter Weeks 50-51, 2025
During Weeks 50 and 51 of 2025, commodity markets globally showcased a blend of selective rebounds, end-of-year adjustments, and persistent uptrends of some industrial and precious metals.
Food and beverage commodities
There were still some food and beverage commodities under pressure overall, but a few commodities were able to break away from the trend.
- Beef prices in the US fell from $409.2/lb to $406.3/lb.
- Chicken prices in the US rose from $114.9/lb to $116.5/lb.
- Cocoa prices in the UK rose from GBP 4,307/MT to GBP 4,312/MT.
- Coconut oil prices in Europe fell from $2,290/MT to $2,216/MT.
- Coffee prices in the UK weakened from $4,018/MT to $3,713/MT.
- Maize prices in the US fell from 444.7 cents/bushel to 441.1 cents/bushel.
- Palm oil prices in China moved lower from $1,220/MT to $1,198/MT.
- Rice prices in the US fell from $9.97/CWT to $9.60/CWT.
- Soybean meal prices globally edged up from $299.9/MT to $300.0/MT.
- Soybean oil prices in the US fell from 51.4 cents/lb to 49.0 cents/lb.
- Soybeans prices globally fell from 1,089 cents/bushel to 1,059 cents/bushel.
- Sugar prices globally softened from 14.87 cents/lb to 14.77 cents/lb.
- Wheat prices in the US fell sharply from 532.3 cents/bushel to 510.7 cents/bushel.
Metals and minerals
Metals and minerals showed slightly different but mainly positive trends.
- Copper prices in the UK rose from $11,620/MT to $11,725/MT.
- Aluminium prices globally rose from $2,880/MT to $2,907/MT.
- Nickel prices globally fell from $14,679/MT to $14,428/MT.
- Iron ore prices in China rose from $106.33/MT to $106.58/MT.
- Lead prices globally fell from $1,982/MT to $1,960/MT.
- Tin prices globally increased sharply from $40,652/MT to $42,295/MT.
- Zinc prices globally fell from $3,127/MT to $3,065/MT.
Chemical markets
Chemical markets are showing both mixed and generally firm conditions.
- Ammonia prices in China rose from $350.7/MT to $357.2/MT.
- Benzene prices globally fell from $743/MT to $736/MT.
- Caustic soda prices globally fell from $106.3/MT to $105.9/MT.
- Ethylene prices globally held the same from $720/MT to $720/MT.
- Methanol prices globally rose from $296.2/MT to $302.3/MT.
- Propylene prices globally slipped slightly from $881/MT to $872/MT.
- Soda ash prices globally edged up from $178.1/MT to $178.6/MT.
Precious metals
Prices for precious metals maintained a steady upward trend.
- Gold prices rose from $4,243/oz to $4,324/oz.
- Platinum prices surged from $1,691/oz to $1,887/oz.
- Silver prices increased from $61.24/oz to $65.28/oz.
Energy markets
The energy markets were coming down from a peak after the very strong Christmas season.
- Coal prices in Europe fell from $96.6/MT to $96.2/MT.
- Crude oil prices in Europe decreased from $61.8/bbl to $60.0/bbl.
- Natural gas prices in the US fell from $4.49/MMBtu to $3.97/MMBtu.
Weeks 50-51 of 2025 saw a decline in food commodities, metals and precious metals showing selective strength, mixed trends in chemicals, and falling energy prices as the market moved toward year-end consolidation.