Commodity

France is facing tight diesel supplies, with 1 in 9 fuel stations reporting distribution problems and diesel priced at €2.39 per litre. In Spain, diesel has risen for 11 consecutive weeks, while electricity prices have reached their highest level since 2022. On the supply side, Europe has shut about 30 refineries over the past 15 years, Saudi Arabia’s Jazan refinery has been offline since July and was attacked, and European diesel prices are up 40% from June.

LNG spot prices are climbing on seasonal demand, while some Asian importers are pulling back on purchases. September LNG arrivals in Asia are expected to fall year over year, even as European imports rise this month and next because EU gas storage remains well below the five-year average for this time of year. Spot LNG prices have climbed 150% since February.

With the Iran war in its seventh month, commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is shrinking even as Gulf oil export demand remains pressing. Baltic Exchange data this week show the daily charter rate for a very large crude carrier hauling oil from the Persian Gulf to China rose to $1.035 million, versus about $208,000 per day for a comparable route. Higher insurance costs and industry consolidation have helped push freight rates higher as supply constraints lift oil back above $100 per barrel and diesel prices top $6 for the first time, up 60% from before the war.

The Netherlands recently moved 86 tonnes of gold from the United States and Canada to the Bank of England in London amid ongoing geopolitical turmoil. Some European countries are reassessing where they store their gold reserves. The moves reflect concerns about the current US fiscal trajectory and its ability to meet debt obligations.

Cotton arrivals from India’s 2026 kharif crop have started improving, with daily inflows estimated at around 30,000 bales across several key producing states. Prices in Maharashtra are hovering around ₹8,600 per quintal due to high moisture levels. Buyers are staying cautious as global prices soften, weighing on domestic spot and auction rates. Arrivals are expected to rise further from the first week of October.

India’s central government has raised the sugar stockholding limit for bulk consumers to 30 days from 15 days after a recent slide in prices. Retail sugar prices have fallen about 10% from a peak of Rs 65 in August to Rs 58.5, while ex-mill prices are down nearly 25%. Under the change, stocks held beyond the initial 15 days must come only from sugar imported under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS) or Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ), and the rule applies to industrial users consuming more than 10 metric tonnes (MT) a month.

Domestic gold prices in India rose ₹1,600 to ₹1,56,600 per 10 grams, while silver gained ₹5,000 to ₹2,47,000 per kilogram as softer crude oil prices eased near-term inflation worries. Spot gold increased $50.96 to $4,392.78 an ounce, and silver rose 3.10% to $67.21 an ounce on stronger investor demand. Global holdings in gold-backed ETFs have risen 1.44 million ounces year to date to 100.39 million ounces.

U.S. diesel prices remain near a record high at $6.43 per gallon, while regular gasoline averages $4.47. Energy prices have stayed elevated amid shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. A national energy-aid group said households using heating oil could see winter bills rise by more than 31% year over year, and overall winter heating costs are expected to increase by more than 8.7%. Oil prices have eased slightly but are still above $100 a barrel.

India has raised the sugar stockholding limit for bulk consumers to 30 days from 15 days, but any additional stock must come from imported sugar under the Advance Authorisation Scheme or Tariff Rate Quota. Sugar bought from the open market remains capped at 15 days’ consumption. In August, retail sugar prices fell about 10% year on year to ₹58.50 per kg, while ex-mill prices dropped nearly 25%. The change is aimed at ensuring festive-season supply and keeping prices in check.

Venezuela’s government and opposition are close to a deal to move about $4 billion in central bank gold reserves from the Bank of England to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Financial Times reported. The proposal would give Delcy Rodriguez’s interim government legal control of the gold while preventing an immediate sale. The reserves could instead be pledged as collateral for government borrowing, including reconstruction after June’s twin earthquakes, according to the report. Last month, National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez said Venezuela was seeking to recover roughly 31 metric tons of gold held by the Bank of England to counter surging inflation.