List Of The Worlds Most Actively Traded Commodities

For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, various economies globally ground to an almost halt, and as a result, oil prices plunged as demand sank. Soybeans are versatile commodities used to produce food, animal feed, and biofuels. The global trade in soybeans has grown significantly, ranking them among the top traded commodities due to the increasing need for meals high in protein and renewable energy sources worldwide. ADM and Cargill are two major competitors in the soybean industry, which agricultural firms dominate.

Key Takeaways

The gas market is increasingly shaped by geopolitical factors, such as Russia’s war in Ukraine; the conflict has led the EU to shift away from importing Russian pipeline gas and toward LNG imports, particularly from the U.S. Demand for natural gas should continue to grow going forward as developing economies industrialize and increasingly turn to the fuel as a cleaner alternative to oil or coal. However, competition from renewables and energy efficiency improvements will still limit the upside potential for demand.

Crude Oil

This includes changes in supply and demand, geopolitical tensions, and currency values. The most traded commodities for decades have been firmly established as the biggest markets, most liquid and commonly traded worldwide. The significance of these most traded goods has even influenced the top 5 most traded currencies in the world. The energy commodity market is by far the largest in terms of contracts traded and turnover. While there are many types of energy commodities available to trade, it’s the black gold which is traded the most. Brent Crude Oil is mostly traded on the ICE (Intercontinental Exhange), whereas WTI is mostly traded on CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange).

Steel

Technology, construction, fashion and investing are the main industries which demand vast amounts of metals. Imports from Germany totaled $160.4 billion in 2024, while total trade between the country and the U.S. was estimated to be $236.0 billion. Vehicles, vehicle parts, vaccines, packaged medications, motor vehicle parts, and medical instruments were among the top products imported by the U.S. from Germany. Canada is the third-largest provider of goods to the United States, totaling $412.7 billion. As noted above, the country has favorable trading terms with the U.S. and Mexico under the USMCA.

Top 10 Most Traded Commodities in the World – 2025

Due to its radioactive properties, uranium is subject to strict regulations, and direct trading or investment in physical uranium is not possible. An alternative way of gaining exposure to the nuclear energy sector is to buy uranium stocks such as Cameco Corp or the Global X Uranium ETF. So when you’re deciding the best commodity to trade, think about your goals and strategy – and always be sure to research the market thoroughly. Gold, on the other hand, is seen as a store of value in times of economic trouble, and can act in an inverse way to oil.

Corn production is currently heavily subsidised in the States, which provides a strong incentive for production and helps maintain global supplies. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude – referred to as US crudeon IG’s platform – is the second type of crude oil on our list. It is another high-quality ‘sweet light’ oil, which has an even lower sulphur content and density than Brent crude. WTI oil is drilled in various US states – including Texas, Louisiana and North Dakota – and sent to Cushing, Oklahoma for price settlement.

In contrast, Schmitt-Grohé and Uribe (2017) challenge the conventional view and find that, in structural models, terms of trade play only a modest role in generating business cycle fluctuations in developing countries. Energy commodities, particularly oil and gas, play a pivotal role in the economy. Energy commodities are some of the most traded commodities in the world, representing around one-third of all trades in the global commodities market, with crude oil trading alone making up 15% of the total. It boasts industrial applications in electronics, batteries, and medical devices. Its investment value, alongside its industrial use cases, contributes to its demand and high trading volume. If you are looking to trade silver, note that its price movements are also closely correlated with gold.

China is the world’s largest importer of soybeans, accounting for over 60% of world trade. Meanwhile, Brazil and the US lead the way when it comes to soybean exports. Cotton is an extensively traded commodity used to make textiles, apparel, and home furnishings. With millions of bales exchanged yearly, its trading volume shows its significance in the world’s textile manufacturing industry. Influential cotton buyers include textile manufacturers and clothing industries, whereas major producers are nations like the United States, India, and China. Gold has held its value for thousands of years, maintaining its status as a top choice for preserving wealth and a hedge against economic uncertainty.

• There are several varieties of corn – the main ones being dent, flint, pod, popcorn, flour and sweet corns.
• Mexico topped the list of exporters to the U.S. in 2024 with an estimated $505.9 billion worth of goods.
• If you want to trade any of the commodities mentioned, or maybe some that aren’t mentioned in the list above, then you need to sign up for an online brokerage account.
• As one of the most traded commodities, coffee is unique in the global economy.
• The majority of aluminium is produced in China, followed by Russia, Canada and India.

You can join the growing community of intelligent traders and investors at Made for Trade by Dhan. This online platform improves its special strategies, making investing easier. forex swing trading strategies Copper is a crucial industrial metal used in manufacturing, electronics, and building.

• Meanwhile, Brazil and the US lead the way when it comes to soybean exports.
• Investment in gold bars and coins dropped slightly, but the gold price still closed at a record $2,078.4 per ounce.
• Total trade between Canada and the U.S. was estimated at $762.1 billion in 2024.
• We recommend that you seek independent financial advice and ensure you fully understand the risks involved before trading.
• Over the past 15 years, the trajectory of global trade in goods has been marked by increasing volatility.

The first thing you must do is look for a reliable and reputable trading platform. Copper is widely traded globally due to its application commonly used for appliances, housing and electrical machinery. Most silver is produced as a by-product of mining copper, lead, and zinc, with smaller amounts from gold mines.

Gain an edge in trading

Notable commodities market examples of coffee merchants include international corporations like Nestlé and Starbucks and significant coffee growers like Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. Corn is a staple grain used extensively in industry and commodity trading. 2024 will be challenging for the global maize market due to falling prices, disruptions caused by weather in Brazil, and logistical issues in Ukraine. The US expects to produce more than 15 billion bushels, while Brazil’s crop drops to 129 million tons.

As the commodity plays a crucial role in fueling homes, businesses and governments, it’s no wonder it remains one of the most actively traded commodities to date. A commodity that requires mining or extraction, such as iron, gold, and crude oil, are classed as hard commodities. A soft commodity is normally an agricultural product, like cotton, corn, wheat and livestock, for example. Commodity markets are characterised by supply levels taking longer than demand levels to respond to price moves. Supply in these markets is relatively inelastic, meaning that even if the price of commodities such as soybeans or cotton were to double overnight, it would take a growing season for farmers to adjust to the change. As with any other asset type, the price of a commodity is determined by the fundamental principles of supply and demand.

Crude Oil: The Powerhouse Behind Global Trade

On the supply side, climate change poses risks to future production, with droughts and extreme weather increasingly impacting yields in the Americas. For now, our soybean price forecast is for a lower average price in 2025 vs 2024 and to be at the lowest level since 2020, dampened by a record soybean harvest in Brazil and softer economic growth in China. That said, solid demand for plant-based proteins and biofuels should provide support. “While agricultural production trends appear solid, drivers that could negatively impact global food security are increasing,” said FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero. Each commodity offers unique trading benefits and risks, from energy resources like crude oil and natural gas to precious metals and agricultural products. Like crude oil, natural gas prices fluctuate due to seasonal demand changes, supply levels, and geopolitical influences.

Unlike gold, roughly 50% of demand for silver can be attributed to its industrial uses, which include solar panels, photographic films and electrical contacts. Like gold, however, a large proportion of demand for silver is also driven by jewellers and investors. Goldis a precious metal that has been highly sought after for millennia, due to its metallic yellow colour and sheen.

That said, automotive demand will tail off going forward as palladium substitution runs its course and the transition to electric vehicles continues. Labor strikes and power shortages in South Africa are the key risk to supply. Figure 2 reports the impulse responses of domestic macroeconomic variables to a one-standard-deviation increase in terms-of-trade volatility. Following Schmitt-Grohé and Uribe (2017), responses are summarized by the pointwise medians across the set of country-specific estimates. Specifically, a one-standard-deviation shock reduces investment by 2.51 percentage points, consumption by 1.05 percentage points, and output by 0.62 percentage points. The trade balance improves by 1.59 percentage points as increased uncertainty reduces domestic demand for imports.