| Well-supplied markets are continuing to drive down prices of commodities, across the board, says the latest issue of the World Bank’s Commodity Markets Outlook (CMO). Most indices edged further down during the first quarter of 2015, with food down 7.3 percent, crude oil down 13 percent and metals down 9 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Prices are expected to stay weak for the rest of this year, with only a marginal recovery expected in 2016.
“Surplus production and subdued demand due to weak global growth are continuing to depress commodity prices. The slowdown in emerging economies, coupled with a strong U.S. dollar, will likely keep the lid on prices. Although weaker prices will mean lower revenues for commodity exporting countries, they will help reduce current account and fiscal deficits in many commodity-importing countries,” said Ayhan Kose, Director of the World Bank’s Development Prospects Group..........................................Full Article: Source
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