As the saying goes, all great changes are preceded by chaos. While chaos still continues to run amok in financial and commodity markets alike, the known outcomes are already spelling disaster and fear.

A few weeks back, Trafigura reported a loss of US$ 577 million by way of a systematic fraud through forged representation and documentation by a supplier who allegedly shipped it alloy steel instead of pure nickel (...)

• China’s exports of aluminium and its products exceeded 8 million tons in 2021
• Customers in more than 200 countries and regions
• America the leading export outlet

• Weather-related infrastructure damage in New Zealand
• Still some pressure on labour market and supply chains
• Australia’s merchants reporting reasonable volumes

• Upcoming budget to boost clean economy investments
• New battery plant developments
• Country shows resilience amid global economic slowdown

• Base metals to benefit from renewable energy growth
• January drop in auto sales and production
• CMRA organizes visits to Malaysia and USA

• Gold hits all-time high in rupee terms
• Dealer inventory of unsold cars at four-year peak
• Lower import volumes for copper/copper alloy scrap

• Monetary easing policy to be retained
• 1 copper scrap market oversupplied
• Severe competition for aluminium

• Auto industry recovery supports secondary aluminium scrap demand
• UBC scrap an affordable alternative for secondary smelters.
• Low extrusion activity and high inventories

• Import tightening by government
• Shortages of non-ferrous metals
• High inflation damaging demand

• Businesses battling higher interest rates and electricity supply interruptions
• Export ban to be evaluated at end of April
• Cut in growth forecast for 2023

• Consternation at banking troubles
• Inflation rate tempered but still above target
• Terminal market prices drifting down

• Construction industry facing a slowdown
• Further investments in two major recycling projects
• Metals pricing on the lower side

• High gas stores at end of heating season
• Cautious economic forecasts for region
• Reduced flows of scrap into yards

• Higher interest rates causing problems for many companies
• Low availability of metals
• Tough period lies ahead

• Early-year fall in public debt
• Inflation revised slightly downwards
• “Green” homes challenge confronting real estate sector

• Markets quiet and prospects uncertain
• Aluminium particularly difficult to sell at right price
• Consumer spending remains generally strong

• Generally slow market conditions
• Inflation impairing Portugal’s private consumption
• Further growth potential for Spain’s construction, tourism and automotive sectors

• Budget yields some striking tax changes
• Lack of non-ferrous metals availability
• Reasonable demand from Europe and interest from Asia