Understand what commodities are and how they work in the markets

Basic Concept: What Are Commodities?

In the world of business and investments, you’ve probably heard of commodities. But what exactly are commodities? They are essential raw materials widely used across various industrial and agricultural sectors. Unlike retail products, commodities are traded wholesale and form the foundation of a global production chain.

Commodity trading involves buying and selling these raw materials through different channels. While some transactions still involve the physical movement of goods, the modern landscape is dominated by futures contracts. These instruments allow buyers and sellers to agree on specific prices for delivery at future dates, without the need for immediate handling of the product.

Classification: Hard Commodities versus Soft Commodities

Commodities are divided into two main categories, each with its own market characteristics and dynamics.

Hard commodities consist of natural resources that require mining or extraction processes. They include precious and energy metals that demand significant investments in infrastructure. Prominent examples include gold, silver, copper, aluminum, crude oil, and natural gas. These assets tend to exhibit volatility influenced by geopolitical factors and technological discoveries.

Soft commodities refer to products derived from agriculture and livestock, characterized by being renewable and dependent on climatic and seasonal cycles. This category includes sugar, corn, coffee, wheat, beef, milk, and other similar products. The supply of these commodities fluctuates according to weather conditions and global agricultural practices.

Practical Examples of Commodities in Markets

To better understand how they work, consider some concrete cases:

• Energy: crude oil, natural gas
• Metals and minerals: gold, silver, copper, aluminum
• Agricultural products: sugar, corn, coffee, wheat
• Livestock: cattle, milk, beef

These examples represent only a fraction of the universe of commodities traded daily on specialized exchanges around the world, moving trillions in annual transactions.