Argus Media

Argus spot prices for the rare earth compound dysprosium oxide are currently ten times higher in the US than in China. Such a gap reflects a world where geopolitics is increasingly shaping commodity markets. But as broadcaster and author Ed Conway argues, the weaponisation of trade, for critical minerals and beyond, is as old as trade itself.

In this episode, Ed joins Argus battery materials reporter Chris Welch to discuss his new book, Trade World: The Ties That Bound Our Past and Could Unravel Our Future, exploring whether the global trade is unravelling after all and whether Europe and the US can rebuild their critical minerals industries once again.

Key topics include:

• Why China's rare earth export controls are not new
• Can Western carmakers build knowledge in partnerships with China?
• Why pricing power has shifted from carmakers to their suppliers
• How BYD resembles Henry Ford's vision for cars
• The impact of declining standardisation of traded goods on pricing

Rotterdam’s record-low VLSFO sales reveal how quickly Europe’s marine fuel market is being reshaped by forces at home and abroad. In this episode, Josh Michalowski (Diesel Reporter, Argus European Products) speaks with Bob Wigin (Fuel Oil Reporter, Argus European Products) about the changing balance between VLSFO and HSFO as RED III alters bunker economics and geopolitical disruption reshapes supply.

Key themes:

• Regulatory impact on European bunker demand
• Middle East disruption redirects European VLSFO to Asia-Pacific
• Russian VGO tightness and marine fuel blending

Ammonia production across Europe face major consequences due to mounting pressure on European gas markets. Ahead of winter, record-low inventories, conflict in the Middle East as well as Russian and Ukraine, strong Asian demand and maintenance outages are all pushing delivered gas prices to their highest since 2022.

Hear Argus’ essential analysis of the impact of the gas market on Europe’s ammonia industry, covering ammonia production costs, prices, influence of CBAM and decarbonisation, risks to ammonia supply this winter, the prospects for Q1 2027 and food security implications.

Join Mike Nash, Senior Editor – Fertilizers and Lizzie Lancaster, Deputy Editor - Ammonia as they discuss these topics in the latest episode of Argus' Fertilizer Matters podcast series.

Weight of Freight: Iron ore and jet fuel, Hormuz knock-on effects

Hear Argus’ essential analysis of what’s driving China’s feed phosphate market. Fresh from the VIV Select China trade show, we discuss market sentiment, price movements, demand trends, and the impact of raw material and production costs on China's feed phosphate sector. We also examine how rising freight rates are shaping export opportunities and take a closer look at tricalcium phosphate (TCP).

Join Hui Xuan Lek, Market Reporter – Fertilizers and Johanna Jing, Market Analyst, Phosphate, Potash as they discuss these topics in the latest episode of Argus' Fertilizer Matters podcast series.

Key questions answered in this podcast:

• What are feed phosphates and what is the relevance of the different grades?
• VIV Select China Tradeshow: What was the feed phosphate market sentiment at the event?
• How have prices, demand, raw materials cost and overall production costs impacted the Chinese feed phosphate market?
• How much of an impact have rising freight costs had on the export market?
• TCP, Tricalcium Phosphates: How is it produced and why has there been growing demand for it, particularly in Europe and Japan?

 

Hear Argus’ essential analysis of the urea market outlook — what's left of 2026,
and what 2027 has in store. Is it simply going to be more of the same? Does the
uncertainty and geopolitical disruption we've seen this year just persist into next
year? Where's the upside, where's the downside, and what are the key risks to
the forecast?

Join Stephen Mitchell, Analyst and Owen Gooch, Senior Analyst as they discuss
these topics in the latest episode of Argus' Fertilizer Matters podcast series.

Os preços dos contratos de biodiesel para o 5º bimestre subiram em todo o país. Por que, mesmo com uma oferta menor de óleo de soja, os compradores ainda conseguem limitar os avanços nos preços? E o que isso indica para o restante do ano? Acompanhe a conversa entre Natalia Dalle Cort, colaboradora do relatório Argus Brasil Combustíveis, e Lucas Boacnin, gerente de desenvolvimento de negócios da Argus.

 

Os tópicos discutidos neste episódio incluem:

 

• Fees e formas de comercialização de biodiesel 

• Situação do complexo soja que definiu as negociações 

• Margem de esmagamento empurra remuneração do biocombustível

• Diferenciais por região

• Levantamento da Argus com produtoras e distribuidoras

• Perspectivas para fim do ano e 2027

O programa Gás do Povo ampliou o acesso ao gás de cozinha para famílias de baixa renda e alcançou sua meta de inclusão de milhões de beneficiários. No entanto, a iniciativa ainda não gerou o aumento no consumo de GLP que muitos agentes do mercado esperavam. Saiba mais nesta conversa entre Camila Fontana, chefe adjunta da redação da Argus em São Paulo, e Flavia Alemi, uma das responsáveis por precificação de combustíveis fósseis na América do Sul.

Why carmakers are turning to high-manganese chemistries and how Firebird plans to develop a full manganese battery supply chain outside China.

Just when the outlook for the Strait of Hormuz appeared to be stabilising, tensions have escalated again.

Following US strikes on Iranian military installations on Larak Island on 30 August, Iran retaliated with further attacks across the region and intensified its targeting of shipping. Saudi vessels have been struck in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, while the possibility of further military action against Iranian tankers is raising fears of a new tanker war.

In this week's episode, Tom Reed is joined by John Olett, Head of EMEA Freight, and Nader Itayim, Head of Dubai Editorial examine the military, shipping and market developments shaping Middle East crude flows.