Podcast
Commodities Focus
Hosted by S&P Global Energy · EN
S&P Global Energy analysis of key news and pricing issues from across the global shipping, natural gas, power, petrochemicals, agriculture and coal markets.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
India's renewable hydrogen projects face cost, delay risks from global conflicts
1w ago00:29:27Tap to summarizeIndia has established a strong foothold in the emerging clean fuels industry, leveraging its low-cost renewable energy resources to position itself as a competitively priced producer of renewable hydrogen and ammonia for both domestic industrial use and large-scale exports to buyers seeking to secure future supplies of low-carbon fuels. However, recent geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, have disrupted supply chains and pushed up costs, posing risks to project timelines and cost estimates. Despite these near-term challenges, India's long-term outlook remains robust, supported by the global shift from conventional fuels, an emphasis on energy security, and net-zero targets across major economies that are expected to drive future trade in renewable fuels. Ruchira Singh, Editor—Energy Transition at S&P Global Energy joins Nishaanth Balashanmugam, CEO and Director of GH2 India--a trade body focused on accelerating renewable hydrogen in the country--and Vipul Garg, Senior Hydrogen Price Reporter at S&P Global Energy, to discuss the factors shaping the sector, including the evolving business environment, regulatory landscape, and emerging markets for renewable hydrogen.
Transcribe →Global wheat markets on edge as war, weather, and fertilizer shocks drive new rally
3w ago00:16:32Tap to summarizeGlobal wheat prices have been rising since the Middle East war began in late February. Geopolitical tensions, higher fertilizer costs, and mounting weather risks in North America, and a potential El Niño in Australia are all in focus. At the same time, Black Sea new-crop wheat is competing with Australian origin in Asia, while strong crop prospects in the Middle East and North Africa are reshaping expectations for trade flows and demand. Join Maham Quadri, associate price reporter, North America, Vivien Tang, senior price reporter covering APAC, and Vivian Iroanya, senior price reporter for Europe, Middle East & Africa, as they talk to Pierre Cera-Huelva, global wheat analyst and head of EU crops research, to discuss how demand and trade flows will adjust in the months ahead.
Transcribe →Copper markets react to high sulfuric acid prices, Middle East conflict
3w ago00:18:19Tap to summarizeCopper TC/RCs have plunged 89% since January, hitting record lows as concentrate supply tightens and demand stays firm. At the same time, the Middle East war has driven sulfuric acid prices – an important by-product for copper production - up 156% since mid-March, supporting copper smelters to maintain production, and exposing copper's growing vulnerability to geopolitical shocks. Join Ruilin Wang, associate director of nonferrous market, Yuya Pan, senior principal analyst of sulphur & phosphate raw materials at S&P Global CERA, Lu Han, senior editor of nonferrous, and Mok YuenCheng, senior manager at S&P Global Energy, in a discussion on the evolving copper and sulphur markets.
Transcribe →Mounting risks for global beef prices: what's driving market uncertainty?
Apr 1600:12:35Tap to summarizeGlobal beef prices are rising, with multiple record highs recorded for beef from Australia and Brazil, as well as in the US lean trimmings import market during the first quarter. Although strong US demand has supported the market, the global beef industry is facing challenges related to quotas and geopolitical risks. In this podcast, we will shed light on the increasing risks affecting the beef trade. Join S&P Global Energy's Edward Low and Chow Yuh Nien, price reporters for agriculture and food pricing, along with Jack Mullumby, senior principal analyst for APAC proteins, as they discuss the robust global beef prices and the emerging risks to international trade.
Transcribe →India's solar market faces export hurdles, pivots to domestic power
Apr 1500:12:47Tap to summarizeThe Indian solar market has grown considerably over the past decade as the country continues to invest in its module and cell manufacturing capacities. However, the recent imposition of additional duties by the country's largest export market – the US – has restricted India's export opportunities. In response, the Indian solar industry is increasingly redirecting their efforts towards the domestic market, while simultaneously exploring new international prospects. Join Lena Dias Martins, associate price reporter at S&P Global Energy, price reporter Srija Basu Roy, associate price reporter Aditya Saroha and Jessica Jin principal analyst of clean technologies and supply chains at S&P Global Horizons in a discussion on the evolving Indian solar market.
Transcribe →In the fast-growing Brazilian I-RECs market, what challenges and opportunities lie ahead?
Apr 600:25:41Tap to summarizeWith one of the world's largest shares of renewables in its energy generation mix, Brazil offers opportunities for companies in the country seeking to reduce their emissions. In this episode, we discuss how the country has developed a large supply of International Renewable Energy Certificates, or I-RECs, and which challenges came with it. Join Felipe Peroni, associate price reporter at S&P Global Energy, Fernando Lopes, director of Totum Institute, and Vittoria Morini, Americas Renewables Manager at S&P Global Energy, in a discussion about the Brazilian energy transition.
Transcribe →Unpacking the global poultry price flip: Why are chicken legs now pricier than breast meat?
Mar 2400:11:25Tap to summarizeFor the first time since Platts began tracking these markets, frozen boneless chicken legs shipped to North Asia are priced higher than skinless boneless breast meat destined for the Middle East. This shift highlights changing demand and supply dynamics in the global poultry market. The podcast explores the impact of bird flu, supply chain disruptions, and how producers like Brazil are adapting to consumer preferences. Join S&P Global Energy's Graham Style, price reporter for agriculture and food (EMEA), Rubashiny Veeramohan, associate price reporter for agriculture and food (APAC), and Jessie Khor, principal analyst for Proteins, as they discuss how global events and shifting demand are reshaping the poultry landscape.
Transcribe →Decarbonizing India's industrial, power sectors: challenges and roadmaps
Mar 1800:32:57Tap to summarizeIndia's greenhouse gas emissions in the hard-to-abate and power sectors are expected to rise in the decades to come, necessitating an examination of strategies deployed for energy transition in these crucial segments. Though steps have been initiated to help reduce emissions, a bespoke, sector-specific decarbonization roadmap over a multi-year timeframe can help guide this journey. Join Amit Sharma, managing director & chief executive officer at Tata Consulting Engineers, Ashish Singla, director for South Asia power and renewables research at S&P Global Energy and Ruchira Singh, editor, energy transition at S&P Global Energy, in a discussion about the requirements for India's industrial decarbonization.
Transcribe →Asian MTBE arbitrage flows wrecked by Middle East conflict
Mar 1700:15:39Tap to summarizeAsian flows of MTBE to arbitrage markets in Europe and Latin America have come to an abrupt halt after the start of the US-Iran war. Through early 2026, Chinese MTBE producers were able to overcome muted blending demand around Singapore by pushing their production to hungry buyers in Europe as well as Latin America. With the European summer driving season on the horizon, Asian MTBE producers were eyeing growing demand over the next few months. The podcast dissects and discusses how the initial flows have stalled and what lies ahead for producers in China and Southeast Asia as well as buyers in Europe and Latin America. Join S&P Global Energy's Pankaj Rao, senior price reporter, chemicals, Baran Serdaroglu, price reporter, chemicals Europe, Leo Engels, price reporter Americas and Felipe Perez, lead Latin American fuels and refining, in a discussion about the impact of the ongoing conflict on product flows and on retail prices for gasoline.
Transcribe →US aluminum market digests tariff-induced volatility at Platts Symposium
Feb 1300:12:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Commodities Focus Podcast by S&P Global Energy, host Tina Allagh, lead specialist for nonferrous metals pricing, is joined by senior nonferrous price reporter Colleen Ferguson, metals news reporter Anthony Rizkala and principal aluminum analyst Karen Norton to review the key industry and pricing takeaways from the Miami symposium Feb. 1-3. How has the current macroeconomic backdrop, with 50% import duties in place since June, impacted sentiment within the domestic aluminum industry? What does the demand environment look like after the removal of electric vehicle incentives and the rise of data center construction? Within the physical aluminum market, what does spot activity look like as existing stocks continue to dwindle? From current market drivers to the year's forecasted supply and demand balance globally, this episode explores the numerous uncertainties weighing on US aluminum trade. Related link: Specification Guide: Global Nonferrous Metals: global_nonferrous.pdf
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