Commodities

Russia has been a leading wood exporter since it was part of the former Soviet Union.
Commodities

Russia adds Asia-bound wood and steel scrap to commodities exchange

Moscow-based bourse looks to wield more influence over pricing in global markets

11 November 2019
An aerial view of a ship passing the Gatun locks on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal.
Energy

Wider Panama Canal opens floodgates for American LNG to Asia

Surge in exports to Asian countries helps offset plunge in shipments to China

8 November 2019
Central banks are on pace to buy more gold this year than last year, when they bought the most since the U.S. ended dollar convertibility in 1971.
Datawatch

Gold gains luster as US-China trade war dims global outlook

Central banks and ETFs snap up the metal amid negative interest rates

3 November 2019
Employees unload liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks in Xian, Shaanxi Province.
Energy

China boosts oil and gas output to hedge trade risk to energy

CNOOC reports higher production off US, while Sinopec drills in Inner Mongolia

1 November 2019
Rio Tinto's borax mine in California where high-grade lithium was found in waste rock. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Materials

California lithium find offers boon for American security

Rio Tinto to build $10m pilot plant, hoping to be top producer in US

26 October 2019
Fires burn off virgin rainforest cleared to plant oil palm trees in Tripa, Indonesia: China can no longer escape its responsibility.
Opinion

Chinese companies must share blame for global deforestation

Demand for soy, palm oil and beef leads to forest fires in Brazil and Indonesia

23 October 2019
Greta Thunberg waits backstage before speaking to a crowd on Oct. 11 in Denver, Colorado: Environmental activism needs to mature beyond spewing vitriol at easy targets.
Opinion

Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion cannot wish oil and gas away

Climate activists need to be pragmatic about how much renewables can deliver

22 October 2019
A steel mill in Henan Province: Despite softening demand, China's crude steel output is on pace to set an annual record.
Economy

China's appetite for steel softens as trade war hits home

Domestic production hiked to prop up economy, risking global glut

16 October 2019
Cattle stir up dust in a drought-affected paddock on the outskirts of Dubbo in New South Wales.
Economy

Australian farm exports wither under 'worst drought in 50 years'

Wheat shortage hits Indonesian noodle makers while bushfires rage in Queensland

15 October 2019
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Nikkei Markets

Malaysia palm oil inventory rises after six months' fall

Analysts expect India to ramp up purchase ahead of festival

10 October 2019
Keppel says it is interested in exploring other opportunities in Brazil's gas and oil industry. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Nikkei Markets

Singapore rig builders draw line under disputed Brazil deals

Keppel O&M and Sembcorp Marine were tarred by corruption probe

7 October 2019
Robusta coffee beans can be grown in low altitudes and less prone to pest infections.
Commodities

Asians' love for instant coffee fuels Robusta cultivation

Vietnam, India, Brazil produce more as Arabica loses ground

6 October 2019
Onion prices more than doubled in recent weeks after floods damaged crops across the country. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Economy

India's eye-watering onion prices put extra pressure on Modi

Government bans exports and warns 'unscrupulous' merchants against hoarding

4 October 2019
A tanker carrying crude oil imported from Iran arrives at China's Port of Zhoushan: Beijing is doubling down on its strategic partnership with Tehran.
2 October 2019
Mitsubishi Corp. last week revealed $320 million in estimated losses from allegedly unauthorized oil bets by a Singapore-based trader. (Photo by Masayuki Terazawa)
Companies

Ex-Mitsubishi trader says troubled oil trades had been reviewed

Singapore-based transactions estimated to have caused $320m in damages

26 September 2019
Aramco's damaged processing facility in Abqaiq, near Dammam in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.
Energy

Exclusive: Saudi Arabia floats change to Japan oil supply, sparks concern

Difficulty in processing high-grade crude highlighted following refinery attack

22 September 2019
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Nikkei Markets

Malaysian palm stocks hobble as Mahathir hints at new law

Flags need to hold local firms responsible for fires in land held overseas

19 September 2019
In China, the speed of growth in domestic consumption means its strategic oil stocks will not last much longer than before.
Opinion

Saudi oil attack is wake-up call for Asian economies

Region should not panic but must start stockpiling in case of future disruption

19 September 2019
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's energy minister, offered assurances that clients will receive the petroleum they ordered for this month.
Energy

Saudi oil production to recover within the month, minister says

Saudi Aramco's chairman affirms IPO will take place in 12 months

18 September 2019
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Nikkei Markets

Weak corporate earnings weigh on Malaysian stock market

Analysts trim year-end KLCI target as more companies miss street expectation

17 September 2019
Saudi Arabia is not only a leading producer of crude but also holds much of the world's excess capacity of the fuel.  
Energy

Asia activates oil contingency plans as Saudi strike disrupts outlook

Trump suspects Iran involvement and hints at action

17 September 2019
Japanese trading group Sumitomo owns this commercial forest in New Zealand, one of the Asia-Pacific region's biggest wood exporters. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Business trends

Asian wood demand drives $230m Japan investment in New Zealand

Sumitomo sees need for building supplies and biomass fuel

16 September 2019
A satellite image from Planet Labs shows thick black smoke rising from Saudi Aramco's Abqaiq oil processing facility in Buqyaq, Saudi Arabia.
Energy

Saudi Aramco oil sites hit by drones, disrupting production

Attack reduces kingdom's crude output by half, energy minister says

15 September 2019
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Commodities

Singapore's Olam secures $525 million sustainability loan

Spike in green, sustainable loan deals in the last two weeks

11 September 2019
Analysts say palm oil exports to China will likely remain robust due to the upcoming festive season.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's August palm oil inventory at more than year low

Export surge helps trim stockpile despite higher output, while steady China demand seen

10 September 2019