Commodities

Rough seas threaten to make crude oil storage yards like this one in northern Japan's Akita Prefecture inaccessible during winter, a government assessment finds.
Iran tensions

Iran crisis exposes Japan's oil reserve risks

Tokyo finds 20% of stockpiles potentially inaccessible in winter

11 January 2020
West Texas Intermediate, the global oil benchmark, marked $65 per barrel at one point on Jan. 8, up 10% from a month ago.
Iran tensions

Iran's missile strike sends gold and oil prices up

Investors shift to risk-off mode amid escalating tensions in the Middle East

8 January 2020
Iranian military forces drill in the Strait of Hormuz in December 2011: Iran may carry out its threat of blockading.
Opinion

US-Iran crisis poses fresh and enduring risk to Middle East oil supply

China, India and Japan need to take diplomatic initiative as big importers from Gulf

8 January 2020
Palm oil cultivation is blamed for devastating the environment, decimating natural habitats and the emission of greenhouse gases.
Trade

Indonesia says WTO process against EU palm oil curb to start soon

Whole process is expected to last for 1.5 years

7 January 2020
The coffins of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and his comrades killed in Iraq in a U.S. drone strike are surrounded by mourners in the Iranian city of Ahvaz, in this photo provided by the Iranian Students News Agency.
Iran tensions

Red flag for vengeance -- anger over US strike on Iran general grows

Limited options for retaliation help markets shrug off heightened risk

7 January 2020
Japan intends to use data from satellites to forecast crop production worldwide.
Agriculture

Satellite monitoring to cut Japan's reliance on USDA farm data

Tokyo plans own system for predicting global harvests vital to its food supply

4 January 2020
Demonstrators burn the U.S. and British flags during a protest against the assassination of the Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani by the U.S., in Tehran on Jan. 3.
Iran tensions

Killing of Iran general sends oil and yen surging

Markets hold breath for Tehran's response after US strike on Soleimani

4 January 2020
Stream article image
Nikkei Markets

Asian stocks fall as Middle East tensions rise

After US airstrike kills Iran general, oil price bump boosts related shares

3 January 2020
The duty on refined palm olein was reduced to 45% from 50%, while the levy on crude palm oil import was cut to 37.5% from 45% under bilateral agreements between Malaysia and India.
Commodities

Malaysian palm oil shares rise on India's import tax cut

Analysts expect tax move to boost Malaysian exports, support palm oil prices

2 January 2020
Vietnam's steam coal imports in 2019 are estimated to total about 32 million tons, twice the amount for last year and up three times from three years ago.
Commodities

Vietnam and Asia neighbors hungry for cheap coal

Demand for low-grade coal expands amid economic growth

2 January 2020
Already a major financial hub, Singapore wants to capitalize on its location to become an important trading center for LNG.
Energy

Singapore aims to be Asia LNG hub as demand soars

Planned storage terminal to boost nation's status in region's energy sector

30 December 2019
Aramco's initial public offering on the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh on Dec. 11 set a new record for money raised, at $25.6 billion. It is the most valuable company in the world.
Comment

Aramco's IPO has lessons for Asia's state-owned oil companies

Stock listings offer cash and professionalism, but the politics are tricky

29 December 2019
Prices for rare earths like Neodymium surged in the middle of 2019 as importers feared China would take the crucial elements hostage.
Commodities

Why Asia weaponized rare earths, soybeans and palm oil in 2019

Resource nationalism took hold amid trade war tensions and environmental risks

28 December 2019
Linda Wijaya and Michael Widjaja. (Nikkei Montage/ Source photo by Jun Suzuki and Keichiro Asahara)
27 December 2019
An American farmer checks soybeans. China has increased its U.S. soybean purchases after it reached an interim trade deal with Washington.
Trade war

China's US soybean imports soar after 'phase one' trade deal

Amount doubles in November, but Brazil remains biggest supplier

27 December 2019
Nippon Steel Nisshin's earnings have slumped amid a string of production issues, including fire damage to its main Kure works in Japan.
Commodities

Nippon Steel to end output of auto sheet metal at China plant

Venture failed to attract local parts makers, prompting switch to Japan supplies

26 December 2019
The latest September-ended Malaysia companies' quarterly earnings have largely disappointed investors, already spooked by lingering U.S.-China trade tension and concerns over slowing global economic growth.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysian corporate earnings likely to rebound next year

Analysts expect rising palm oil prices to help lift shares despite uncertainties

24 December 2019
Indonesian coffee consumption is expected to rise 54% in the five-year period to the end of September 2020, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Startups

Jay-Z, Serena Williams invest in Indonesian coffee chain

Kopi Kenangan plans to open more than 1,000 kiosks over next two years

23 December 2019
China is the world's biggest consumer of copper, accounting for about half the annual global demand.
Commodities

Rising copper prices reflect surging Chinese demand

US-China trade cease-fire helps push metal to 7-month high

23 December 2019
Wool prices are on the upswing due to the extended drought in Australia, which supplies 40% of the global market.
Commodities

Historic drought in Australia rattles global farm goods market

Wool, wheat and sugar prices spike as exports dwindle

21 December 2019
A truck carries coal at a mine on Kalimantan island, Indonesia, the world's biggest exporter of the resource.
Interview

Indonesia minister defends coal: 'We need to develop'

Lower-income economies should be allowed to tap cheap energy source, says Tasrif

20 December 2019
Coffee bean prices hit two-year high on supply concerns. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Commodities

Coffee bean prices hit 2-year high as Asians drink more

Future prices up 30% from November but weak real puts lid on rises

19 December 2019
Cows graze in an oil production field in Midland, Texas. Banpu's shale acquisition in the U.S. state will more than triple its output of natural gas.
Energy

Thai coal major Banpu buys US shale gas assets for $770m

Investor pressure drives shift away from carbon-heavy fuel

19 December 2019
A man works inside a cold storage warehouse at Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo.
Commodities

Japan's cold storage in short supply as meat imports rise

Pork shipments rise after tariff cuts, with buildups to last through Olympics

17 December 2019
A crude oil terminal in Ningbo Zhoushan port, China: Asian importers will need to continue accelerating the building of their strategic oil reserves.
Opinion

Trade war and strong dollar threaten Asia's oil security in 2020

Oil prices were benign in 2019 but have significant potential to swing

17 December 2019