Market Insights
Commodity pricing trends, supply chain developments and global market intelligence across our key product categories.
Staying informed about commodity market dynamics is essential for procurement planning, budget management and supply chain resilience. Our market insights cover the key drivers, pricing benchmarks and regulatory developments affecting the commodities we trade.
Ethanol and Alcohols Market
European ethanol pricing is influenced by grain and sugarcane feedstock costs, energy prices, EU biofuel mandate volumes and seasonal demand patterns from the industrial and fuel sectors. Key benchmarks include the Rotterdam FOB ethanol price and ICE gasoil futures. Demand from the sanitiser sector, while normalised post-COVID, remains an important background factor. The continued tightening of RED II advanced biofuel mandates is increasing demand for 2G ethanol, with a corresponding premium over conventional 1G grades.
Green Coffee Market
Arabica coffee is priced against the ICE 'C' contract in New York (USD/lb), while robusta is traded against the ICE Robusta contract in London (USD/MT). Key price drivers include Brazilian production outlook (as the world's largest arabica producer), weather events (frost, drought, La Niña/El Niño cycles), currency movements in Brazil and Colombia, and speculative fund positioning. The speciality coffee premium above the C price has remained historically wide, reflecting strong consumer demand for traceable, high-quality coffee.
Bulk Spirits Market
Tequila and agave spirits have seen sustained price escalation driven by global consumption growth and agave supply cycle constraints (agave takes 7–12 years to mature). Scotch whisky aged stocks remain in strong demand from blenders, with premiums on older age statements. Rum pricing is relatively stable with good availability from major Caribbean and Latin American origins.
Biochemicals and Sustainability Premiums
Bio-based chemicals including bio ethyl acetate and bio acetic acid trade at a premium over petrochemical equivalents, reflecting feedstock costs and certification requirements. The premium has narrowed as bio-based production capacity has expanded, but ESG-driven demand from FMCG and pharmaceutical clients continues to support pricing.
Key Points
Ethanol Benchmarks
Rotterdam FOB ethanol, ICE gasoil futures, EU ETS carbon price. Seasonal demand peaks in Q4 (winterisation) and Q1 (industrial demand).
Coffee Benchmarks
ICE Arabica 'C' contract (New York, USD/lb). ICE Robusta (London, USD/MT). Speciality grade differentials negotiated separately.
Agave & Tequila
Agave Blue Weber spot prices (MXN/kg) are a leading indicator. Supply tightness from 2023–2025 planting cycles expected to ease post-2026.
Regulatory Drivers
EU RED III (in negotiation), UK RTFO, German biofuel mandate and US RFS are key policy drivers affecting ethanol and 2G alcohol pricing and demand.
Market Knowledge
Industry insights, market intelligence and practical guidance supporting smarter procurement and trading decisions.
All topics in this sectionAlso in Market Knowledge
Related Reading
You May Also Find Useful
Industry FAQ
Answers to the most common sourcing, logistics, quality and ordering questions from our clients.
Responsible Sourcing
Ethical, sustainable procurement aligned with international ESG standards and client commitments.
Carbon & Traceability
Full supply chain transparency, carbon footprint data and traceability documentation supporting client ESG reporting.