A sweeping look at the geopolitical shocks rocking global commodities on May 20, 2026. From China's state refiners slashing oil throughput by over one million barrels per day due to the war in Iran, to Indonesia's historic centralization of palm oil and coal exports under a single state enterprise. Plus, a double supply hit pushes Western zinc prices to a four-year high of $3,633.50, while four U.S. LNG vessels head to China following the Trump-Xi summit.https://www.commoditiesinstitute.comFOLLOW US @commoditiesinstituteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/commoditiesinstituteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/61584221970761TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@commoditiesinstituteYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@commoditiesinstituteListen to the Podcast:Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6eO2y40mmH5J8boeF0ANjJApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commodities-institute-podcast/id1826784341Commodities Market Oil Metals News Trading Agriculture Policy Politics Energy

Brent crude closes above $112 as oil inventories tighten and the U.S. extends sanctions waivers on stranded Russian crude. Australian farmers slash wheat planting amid soaring fertilizer costs and dry weather risks, raising fears of a global grain deficit. Platinum group metals rally on persistent supply shortages, while tungsten price spikes raise drilling costs for U.S. energy producers. Meanwhile, NextEra’s $66.8 billion acquisition of Dominion highlights the accelerating race to power AI-driven data center growth across the United States.https://www.commoditiesinstitute.comFOLLOW US @commoditiesinstituteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/commoditiesinstituteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/61584221970761TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@commoditiesinstituteYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@commoditiesinstituteListen to the Podcast:Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6eO2y40mmH5J8boeF0ANjJApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commodities-institute-podcast/id1826784341Commodities Market Oil Metals News Trading Agriculture Policy Politics Energy

Commodity markets are entering a new phase of disruption as the Strait of Hormuz crisis spreads beyond crude oil into metals, fertilizers, agriculture, and shipping. In today’s episode, Emily Costa examines how nearly one billion barrels of lost crude supply is reshaping global trade, why platinum shortages are persisting despite weaker auto demand, how China and the United States are negotiating new agricultural purchases, and why Gulf aluminum producers are reorganizing operations around new shipping realities. The episode also explores the growing political importance of ethanol policy, tightening fertilizer supplies, and the rising economic risks tied to prolonged maritime disruptionhttps://www.commoditiesinstitute.comFOLLOW US @commoditiesinstituteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/commoditiesinstituteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/61584221970761TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@commoditiesinstituteYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@commoditiesinstituteListen to the Podcast:Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6eO2y40mmH5J8boeF0ANjJApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commodities-institute-podcast/id1826784341Commodities Market Oil Metals News Trading Agriculture Policy Politics Energy

We break down a landmark day in global trade as the IEA warns of a historic oil supply shock caused by the Iran war. We explore India’s dual shock—banning sugar exports and hiking gold duties—and analyze the $18.5 billion Equinox-Orla merger that signals a massive shift toward "safe haven" mining in Canada. Plus, why El Niño and high input costs are threatening global food security.https://www.commoditiesinstitute.comFOLLOW US @commoditiesinstituteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/commoditiesinstituteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/61584221970761TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@commoditiesinstituteYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@commoditiesinstituteListen to the Podcast:Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6eO2y40mmH5J8boeF0ANjJApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commodities-institute-podcast/id1826784341Commodities Market Oil Metals News Trading Agriculture Policy Politics Energy

China’s commodity flows are shifting on multiple fronts at once. April soybean imports jumped sharply, crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz are being rerouted under conflict risk, refined copper imports are rising on grid and EV demand, and U.S. solar projects tied to Chinese firms are facing fresh policy uncertainty. At the same time, beef trade, steel exports, and freight demand are all being reshaped by quotas, tariffs, and supply-chain scrutiny.https://www.commoditiesinstitute.comFOLLOW US @commoditiesinstituteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/commoditiesinstituteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/61584221970761TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@commoditiesinstituteYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@commoditiesinstituteListen to the Podcast:Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6eO2y40mmH5J8boeF0ANjJApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commodities-institute-podcast/id1826784341Commodities Market Oil Metals News Trading Agriculture Policy Politics Energy

Today, we investigate the staggering $7 billion in short positions placed moments before Iran war ceasefires and the UAE’s risky "dark tanker" maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz. We also analyze the CME’s pivot to physical uranium futures, Australia’s historic domestic gas reservation policy, and the hurdles facing U.S. beef exports ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.https://www.commoditiesinstitute.comFOLLOW US @commoditiesinstituteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/commoditiesinstituteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/61584221970761TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@commoditiesinstituteYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@commoditiesinstituteListen to the Podcast:Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6eO2y40mmH5J8boeF0ANjJApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commodities-institute-podcast/id1826784341Commodities Market Oil Metals News Trading Agriculture Policy Politics Energy

We explore the widening gap between falling oil futures and a physical supply shock that has drained 500 million barrels from global reserves. This episode also analyzes the G7’s strategic pivot toward critical minerals, Argentina’s massive $32.7 billion export projections for copper and lithium, and the growing pains of Europe’s solar energy transition.https://www.commoditiesinstitute.comFOLLOW US @commoditiesinstituteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/commoditiesinstituteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/61584221970761TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@commoditiesinstituteYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@commoditiesinstituteListen to the Podcast:Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6eO2y40mmH5J8boeF0ANjJApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commodities-institute-podcast/id1826784341Commodities Market Oil Metals News Trading Agriculture Policy Politics Energy

We analyzes a transformative week in commodities, where the Iran war has forced a 17% cut in Qatari LNG capacity and a radical EU pivot toward domestic drilling. We explore the shifting power dynamics in metals as Shanghai nickel volumes overtake the LME, and examine the "acid buffer" keeping copper smelters afloat despite negative fees. Plus, a deep dive into the $126 oil rally driving palm oil to new heights and the devastating drought cutting Oklahoma's wheat harvest in half.https://www.commoditiesinstitute.comFOLLOW US @commoditiesinstituteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/commoditiesinstituteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/61584221970761TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@commoditiesinstituteYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@commoditiesinstituteListen to the Podcast:Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6eO2y40mmH5J8boeF0ANjJApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commodities-institute-podcast/id1826784341Commodities Market Oil Metals News Trading Agriculture Policy Politics Energy

We analyze a historic week in commodities as the UAE exits OPEC, reducing the cartel’s market share to 26%. We dive into the $10.7 billion Regis-Vault gold merger, Argentina’s 49% projected jump in mining exports, and the $100 billion struggle to repair Venezuela’s failing power grid. Plus, a look at why U.S. winter wheat ratings have hit a multi-year low while Brazil prepares for a record-breaking 181.6 million ton soybean harvest.https://www.commoditiesinstitute.comFOLLOW US @commoditiesinstituteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/commoditiesinstituteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/61584221970761TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@commoditiesinstituteYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@commoditiesinstituteListen to the Podcast:Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6eO2y40mmH5J8boeF0ANjJApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commodities-institute-podcast/id1826784341Commodities Market Oil Metals News Trading Agriculture Policy Politics Energy

As the Strait of Hormuz blockade chokes 20% of global energy flows, a stark bifurcation has emerged in the markets. While Asian oil imports hit 10-year lows and regional natural gas prices surge over 100%, US domestic gas producers face negative pricing due to infrastructure bottlenecks. This episode analyzes Trump’s new naval escort mission, the collapse of the Thyssenkrupp-Jindal steel merger, and India’s surprise return to the global wheat market following a record harvest.https://www.commoditiesinstitute.comFOLLOW US @commoditiesinstituteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/commoditiesinstituteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/61584221970761TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@commoditiesinstituteYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@commoditiesinstituteListen to the Podcast:Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6eO2y40mmH5J8boeF0ANjJApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commodities-institute-podcast/id1826784341Commodities Market Oil Metals News Trading Agriculture Policy Politics Energy