Commodities

The global economic outlook continues to be suppressed by surging inflation and growing uncertainties caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine, rising geopolitical tension in Asia, tightening of global financial conditions, and China’s economic slowdown.…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. Global inflation is reaching a peak, although geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market remain key risks. The impact varies between countries, with…

A more business-friendly government, elected in 2021, could improve economic freedom. However, protests by indigenous factions have been violently suppressed. Economic performance is expected to be stronger than the regional average, whilst…

Emerging Asia has been one of the most exciting regions in emerging markets during the last two decades and this trend is expected to continue, though the pace of growth has slowed down as the economies transform and mature. By 2040, emerging Asia…

This report analyses the global production, consumption and prices of copper. While leading copper production countries Chile and Peru are facing challenges in 2022 from rising social backlashes and environmental concerns, global production of copper…

The report examines key factors in supply chain risks in metals, energy and agricultural commodities. Production, market supply concentration and political risks analysis can help to better identify potential risks and prepare for potential…

The report provides a global overview of production, consumption and prices of rice. After a relatively stable 2021, the rice market is registering uncertainty in 2022. China and India remained the key producers of the commodity, however, extreme…

The commodities country overview provides comprehensive data on production, consumption and price trends in key commodities markets. The commodities overview in Belarus covers production and consumption trends in agricultural commodities, energy…

The commodities country overview provides comprehensive data on production, consumption and price trends in key commodities markets. The commodities overview in Ukraine covers production and consumption trends in agricultural commodities, energy…

Gibraltar’s cooperation in tax matters has made the territory more transparent. Issues over the state’s sovereignty remain unresolved, which is a source of instability. Strength in financial services and the online gaming sector could support…

Grenada enjoys political stability, although its state finances have deteriorated as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Tourism accounts for a large share of exports and output, which is likely to lead to economic underperformance…

French subsidies help to maintain political stability on Guadeloupe, although the islands are prone to civil unrest against socio-economic conditions. Substantial reliance on tourism resulted in recession in 2020, caused by the negative impact of the…

Political instability has been partly to blame for a deterioration in peacefulness in Guyana, although efforts to tackle corruption are improving. The economy was the best performer globally in 2020, but major oil discoveries also raise the country’s…

The Netherlands maintains considerable clout over the affairs of Curacao, which is leading to growing calls for a full split from the European nation. Given that the economy is highly dependent on tourism and oil refining, it has suffered at the…

The US’s large military presence on Guam makes the territory a target for attacks by nations looking to lower US power in Asia Pacific. Guam is highly reliant on US federal funding, exposing the territory to changes in US military spending. Tourism…

Guinea-Bissau suffers from substantial political instability and corruption, which limits democracy. Economic recovery is likely to be stronger than peers, driven by higher demand for agricultural products, but large dependence on the sector is a…

A slowdown in the global economy has become more evident, and growth prospects continue to face multiple headwinds and downside risks. Persistently high inflation, energy and cost-of-living crises, and simultaneous global interest rate rises are…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. Global inflation is reaching a peak, although geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market remain key risks. The impact varies between countries, with…

Ageing, urbanisation and migration continue to be major factors shaping the global population. The number of seniors around the world kept expanding in 2021 and is expected to grow further in the years to 2040. The number of small children is…

Asia Pacific remained the largest global producer of food, beverages and tobacco in 2021, with sales valued at USD3,809 billion. With the release of pent-up demand, the industry’s turnover witnessed an increase in 2021. Going forward, expanding…

Euromonitor International forecasts global economic growth to slow significantly to 2.3% in 2023, as demand weakens amid uncertainties, inflation and tightened financial conditions. Unemployment could rise, but the labour market will remain tight.…

Sustainability has become a prominent theme in the 21st century, especially in light of rising urbanisation, which is putting more pressure on infrastructure and quality of life. The report analyses sustainability across seven key areas: water,…

Nauru’s political landscape is stable, but is sometimes autocratic in nature. The country’s biggest challenge is to diversify the economy away from phosphate production. Nevertheless, planned infrastructure projects could enhance Nauru’s appeal. Its…

Political upheaval has been caused by transitioning to a new constitution, whilst economic freedom is suppressed, given ineffective observance of the rule of law. The economy could outperform peers, owing to strength in agriculture and greater…

Significant divisions exist between New Caledonia’s indigenous population and its European counterparts, creating political instability. Substantial reliance on nickel is a risk for the economy, which was in recession in 2020. The prospect of…

Dependence on the Netherlands for fiscal support is a source of uncertainty for Sint Maarten. Crime rates are high and the country’s sovereign credit has been downgraded. Excessive reliance on tourism caused a severe recession, given the impact of…

Somalia is characterised by corruption and extremely distressed government stability indicators. The economy has much potential, albeit from a low base, with the state prioritising foreign investment in the future. Nevertheless, reliance on…

Authoritarian rule has created political stability in Tajikistan, but economic freedom has suffered as a result. The economy is expected to outperform peers in the short term, but a narrow export base creates risks for the external sector. Tajikistan…

The global economy is forecast to slow considerably in 2023, edging close to recession as it continues to face ripple effects and lingering risks resulting from the war in Ukraine. Businesses and consumers will see persistent price pressures combined…

Now in its seventh edition, this report explores the top digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this edition touch on topics such as second-hand shopping, community group buying,…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. In 2023, global inflation is expected to ease from its peak in 2022, but remaining significantly above-trend. Geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market are…

This report provides a global overview of industrial trends from 2022 through to 2027 for the key manufacturing and service sector industries. Insights analyse long-term global trends that can help businesses adapt to changes in the production and…

Increased economic uncertainty, digitisation of business activities, the need to improve operational efficiency, and stricter regulations encourage companies to review their supply networks and fortify them against the potential risks in the future.…

Businesses and consumers are facing a new economic reality as the global economy enters a period of slower growth and high inflation, while energy pressures, rising cost of capital, tight labour market, geopolitical risks and a reset of globalisation…

This report provides a global overview of commodity market trends from 2017 through to 2022, including price forecasts up to 2024 for the key commodities in the Agriculture, Energy and Metals sectors. Insights analyse long-term global trends that can…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. Global inflation is moderating, although volatility in the energy markets and faster consumption growth in China are among the key risks that could increase inflation.…

Authoritarianism is leading to ‘repressed’ economic freedom in Egypt, whilst corruption remains an issue. Although energy exports have fuelled strong economic growth, output is set to slow down in the short term, as extremely high inflation…

Italy’s high public debt is a threat to stability and negatively affects economic freedom, but anti-corruption legislation has been reinforced. Economic growth is forecast to be subdued, as rising borrowing costs bite, and foreign investment is…

Australia is one of the freest economies in the world, with limited corruption and improving government finances. The economy is facing slowing growth and inflation continues to be high, but the export environment is becoming more favourable as…

President Lula’s rise to power may not reduce political instability and polarisation in Brazil, and could negatively affect economic freedom, which is already ‘mostly unfree’. Exports have shown resilience and inflation is falling, but economic…

Although ‘mostly free’ for economic freedom and state finances have been improving, more corruption has been observed and its terrorism ranking has been deteriorating. Inflation is retreating, but economic growth is moderating, whilst energy import…

Recent policies are eroding democracy and corruption is rife, although economic freedom has improved in the short term. The economy has proven to be resilient, helped by higher exports, whilst inflation is moderating and the prospects for foreign…

Malaysia’s economic freedom is ‘moderately free’ and the state is addressing corruption. However, the new government has yet to prove its democratic credentials. The economy grew extremely strongly in 2022 and, although output expansion is expected…

Organised crime continues to negatively impact Mexico, owing to a weak rule of law, which is also beset by pervasive corruption, but government spending is a bright spot in economic freedom. The economy will continue to underperform peers, but…

New Zealand’s business climate is dynamic and ‘mostly free’ for economic freedom, whilst corruption is not a problem, but political instability is rising owing to the scheduled general election in October 2023. As inflation continues to trouble…

Weak state finances have caused frequent bouts of instability in governance. Additionally, the US’s peacefulness has worsened, but its business landscape remains resilient. Economic growth is slowing in the short term, but robust energy exports have…

Relatively high taxes and a lack of fiscal discipline are negatively affecting economic freedom, whilst France is prone to significant social unrest. Economic momentum is slowing, as higher borrowing costs adversely impact investment and confidence,…

India has a relatively stable political environment, but discrimination of minority groups is on the rise and the country has weak state finances. Economic development has outpaced peers and prospects for international trade are positive, although…

Spain is suffering from a bout of political instability and economic freedom has worsened. Although economic development is slowing down, it continues to attract foreign investors. However, high, albeit falling, inflation has taken its toll on…

An unbiased judiciary weakens the rule of law and corruption is more prevalent, but the business environment continues to thrive. Although the economy is expected to slow markedly in the short term owing to high inflation, medium-term prospects are…