Commodities

South Korea's LG Display has increased output of organic light-emitting diode displays, which require much less indium than LCD panels. 
Commodities

Investors remain wary about China's large stocks of indium

Slowing demand from LCD makers and supply comeback weigh on market

18 March 2019
An attendant fills a vehicle with gas in the Philippines. Lower crude-oil prices has softened inflation across developing Asia.
Economy

Emerging Asia's inflation softens as oil and currencies steady

Upward pressure eases in Philippines while prices fall in Malaysia

16 March 2019
Shearing sheep in New South Wales
Economy

Wool prices on high ground as Australian pastures dry up

Easing trade tension leads to stronger demand in China

14 March 2019
© Illustration by Eric Chow
Asia Insight

Southeast Asian sugar taxes: Bitter pills for better health

Campaigns to avoid runaway medical costs create side effects for companies and farms

12 March 2019
Stockpile in Malaysia, the world's largest palm oil producer after Indonesia, totaled 3.05 million tons in February compared with 3.01 million tons in January, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's February palm oil inventory rises unexpectedly

Analysts tip exports to gain pace in March, pricing pressure to stay near-term

11 March 2019
A gas-processing plant in Vietnam. The country plans to import LNG as domestic sources of natural gas run out.
Commodities

Vietnam's state energy companies gear up for LNG imports

Petrolimex and PetroVietnam prepare to serve the needs of the energy-hungry nation

9 March 2019
Amid dwindling reserves and as oil extraction gets increasingly difficult back home, Petronas has expanded abroad, including into far-flung conflict-hit areas like Iraq.
Companies

Petronas to ramp up spending to boost output this year

Bets on LNG to fuel growth, analysts tip company to retain overseas focus

8 March 2019
Novatek's first Arctic liquefied natural gas plant, on Russia's Yamal Peninsula, began operating in 2017. The company is seeking Japanese support for the second.
International relations

Russia's Arctic LNG project aims to tempt fuel-hungry Japan

US shale revolution spurs Moscow to look east for new markets

4 March 2019
PTT looks to invest in gas pipelines and LNG terminals, as well as develop two gas blocks in the Gulf of Thailand.
Companies

Thailand's PTT to up gas investment as country looks beyond coal

Plans call for billions in spending on pipelines, terminals and offshore drilling

1 March 2019
Over the next six years Olam plans to invest some $3.5 billion in businesses with high growth potential, including nuts, grains, cocoa and coffee.
Nikkei Markets

After tough year, Olam banks on high-growth businesses

Net profit plunges as prices for many products decline

28 February 2019
The Saudi Crown Prince meets Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on his recent visit to New Delhi, Islamabad and Beijing.
Opinion

Asia's energy importers must beware of bringing in Middle East tensions

Saudi foreign investment plans, including in Pakistan, India and China, risk provoking Iran

27 February 2019
Slumping black pepper prices may eventually spill over to retail markets.
Commodities

Black pepper prices hit 12-year low as Southeast Asian output grows

Farmers who switched to spice in 2014 now stung by supply glut

25 February 2019
Energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie said India's demand for crude oil is rising at a pace that will outstrip China's volume of growth and put the country right behind the U.S. in this measure in 2019.
23 February 2019
BHP's Mount Whaleback mine in the ore-rich Pilbara region of northwest Australia. Pilbara is only one facet of the company's declared strategy to become a "fully integrated, highly automated" mining company by 2025. (Courtesy of BHP)
Company in focus

Mining giant BHP goes digital in race for survival

To break the commodities cycle, old industry embraces big data

15 February 2019
ONGC's gas output hit a record high in the quarter on the back of a string of new projects and discoveries.
Companies

India's ONGC posts better-than-expected quarterly profit on higher gas output

State-owned company's gas production hits record high in third quarter

14 February 2019
China decided to allow rice imports from Japan's Niigata Prefecture, a major growing area, in November.
Commodities

Japan's rice finds fertile ground in China after 75% growth

Expanded shipments to mainland drove record exports in 2018

14 February 2019
The weak results of Hindalco underscore the falling metal prices amid fears of a global economic slowdown.
12 February 2019
A worker climbs onto a crude oil train at a transloading facility in the U.S. state of Wyoming. American innovation has let U.S. shale oil companies produce commercially even at prices of $50 a barrel or less. 
Commodities

Asia turns to US oil as shale producers open taps

South Korea boosts imports eightfold in bid to shrink trade surplus

12 February 2019
The gold-silver ratio has stayed above 80 since February 2018, indicating a jittery investment environment. 
Commodities

Asian investors help drive gold-silver ratio to post-Lehman highs

Price of yellow metal soars amid turbulent markets and rising global tensions

11 February 2019
India's oil demand recovered strongly in 2018, due in part to strong sales of commerical vehicles. (Photo by Mamoru Yago)
Economy

India to outpace China in increasing oil demand, report says

New Delhi says it will keep importing Iranian oil despite looming US sanctions

3 February 2019
Sunny Verghese, co-founder and CEO of Olam, speaks at a media briefing in Singapore on Jan. 25.
Companies

Olam to sell off rubber, sugar, wood products, fertilizer business

CEO cites changing consumer values and government policy for strategic shift

25 January 2019
China, Russia and Turkey have been buying gold to replace U.S. Treasury bonds as they look to reduce their reliance on the dollar.
Commodities

China builds up gold reserves in shift away from dollar

Currency weakness and tensions with US spur moves to diversify

24 January 2019
CNOOC aims to double its proven energy reserves by 2025.
Companies

CNOOC to look for 'appropriate' M&A deals to meet 2025 goal - CEO

Push follows Xi initiative to boost China's energy security

23 January 2019
A Thai farmer carries rice stems in Nakohn Ratchasima, 200 km northeast of Bangkok. Thailand was the world's biggest rice exporter for decades but is now suffering from falling output and deteriorating quality.
Economy

Asia's rice exporters trigger a price war

Thailand likely to lose further ground in global market to India and Vietnam

16 January 2019
Australian coal prices are rising, due in large part to stronger demand from China and industry consolidation.
Commodities

Coal expected to be Australia's most valuable export in 2018-19

Recovering demand lifts prices, underscoring dependence on China

13 January 2019