Publications /
Policy Brief

Back
Changes in the Commodities Market - Part 2: What is the role for international trading companies?
Authors
February 4, 2015

The gradual withdrawal of western banks from the commodity sector is a significant opportunity for the historically large traders, whose economic role should be strengthened. These traders however are facing new constraints: reduced margins, competition from other industry players operating in vertical integration strategies and the rise of Asian traders. International trade is now at a historic turning point.

RELATED CONTENT

  • Authors
    Sabine Cessou
    December 13, 2021
    This political analyst, expert in security issues and international development, describes her personality as « down to earth, curious », and not taking herself « very seriously ». Born in Seattle, half German and half Korean-American, she was raised « between three cultures ». After a decade living and working abroad in Rwanda, China, Afghanistan, the UK, and Myanmar, she is now based in Berlin. She’s fond of cooking and is a « beer nerd » – her German side, definitely. This 36 ye ...
  • December 13, 2021
    The African Continental free Trade Area (AfCfTA) finally entered into force on the first month of 2021, after the 22nd country ratified the agreement. It is a one of the flagship projects of the African Union 2063 agenda, but It is a first step on a long journey to African Economic inte...
  • Authors
    Abdelhamid Bakkali
    December 13, 2021
    La loi n° 10-20, relative à l'industrie de la défense, et son décret d’application, marquent un tournant dans le processus de modernisation de la politique de défense nationale. À considérer dans le prolongement de ses efforts d’émergence industrielle, le nouveau dispositif juridique vise la mise en place des fondements solides pour une industrie de défense marocaine pérenne. En plus de sa cohérence et exhaustivité normatives, le nouveau dispositif juridique est conforme aux exigenc ...
  • Authors
    December 10, 2021
    Addressing the increasing demands for water, energy, and food requires a coherent methodology to ensure that  societies have access to them and that conflict over them is avoided. For example, agriculture and food production  require water and energy; energy production also requires water and, in some instances, agricultural products.  Water distribution and treatment can be very energy intensive. Therefore, the benefits of approaching the Water- Energy-Food (WEF) nexus in an integr ...
  • Authors
    December 10, 2021
     Accelerating the transition toward low or net-zero carbon emissions is necessary to keep global warming at theoretically safe levels. That will likely bring price shocks associated with rising metal prices, energy costs, and carbon taxes – what has been called “greenflation”. Greening the economy will also require public spending and redistributive policies. ...
  • December 10, 2021
    The Cabo insurgency constitutes one of the most significant threats to peace and security in Southern Africa subregion. This podcast explores the various challenges the insurgency in this ...
  • December 9, 2021
    A summit on the African vision of Sahel’s future with a focus on development around the 5 Sahelian Ministers of Economy and the report “Sahel: Moving Beyond Military Containment” ...
  • December 8, 2021
    The rapidly evolving nature of our economies and societies accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis has brought a broader range of shifts in the way workplaces and workforces are organized. The advent of new technologies has radically transformed the way public and private organizations opera...