Here, we share a few examples highlighting how sentiment intelligence provides foresight across commodity markets. Сommodity trading is quite popular among traders with small amounts of capital. Any commodity asset is a complex instrument, and before trading, it is necessary to understand what makes its price fluctuate. The most popular commodities include energy, industrial, and agricultural products, as well as metals.

Natural gas is a crucial energy source for power generation, heating and industrial processes, with increasing use as a cleaner alternative to coal. Iran, Russia and the U.S. are by far the largest producers, with the latter—along with Qatar—also the main exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Demand for natural gas should continue to grow going forward as developing economies industrialize and increasingly turn to the fuel as a cleaner alternative to oil or coal. However, competition from renewables and energy efficiency improvements will still limit the upside potential for demand.

Copper

Silver is mainly used in industry, in the production of electronics and medical equipment. In investments, silver has gained popularity in the form of investment coins, which, due to their low cost, are often an alternative to gold coins. Silver ETFs and derivative contracts such as futures and options are also gaining popularity. Commodities can include oil, gas, industrial and precious metals, as well as food products, of which the main ones are cocoa, coffee, tea, soybeans, and wheat. One of the notable developments in commodity markets this year has been the rise of emerging commodities and changes in rankings for the most traded commodities. The term ‘most traded commodities’ refers to those raw materials that experience the highest levels of buying and selling activity, often measured by trading volume.

For instance, rising trading volumes in oil may indicate confidence in industrial growth, while surges in gold trading often reflect risk aversion Apple aktie during economic uncertainty. For example, crude oil has experienced extreme price volatility in 2024, fluctuating widely before returning to near its starting point. Despite this, it remains one of the most traded commodities, as investors react to geopolitical events, fluctuating demand, and speculative opportunities. This highlights how trading activity often reflects broader market dynamics rather than sustained price trends. Crude oil, for instance, remains highly significant in international markets due to its broad application and how its prices reflect broader economic health. Natural gas also retains a key role, with its increasing importance in balancing the transition towards greener energy sources.

These dynamics highlight how trading activity often reacts to uncertainty rather than just price direction. As a rule, if global demand for oil is growing and production levels are falling or remaining unchanged, the price of the asset will rise. This is precisely why oil prices react so strongly to the weekly statistics on US oil reserves. The commodity futures trading market exists precisely because of the volatility inherent in the highest commodity in the world. Here, our commodity market sentiment data feeds into this by detecting when narratives begin to influence futures pricing.

This article explores these trends and the forces shaping this year’s commodities market. In 2024, regional variations in commodity trading patterns have underscored opportunities and challenges, with trading volumes shaped by a complex interplay of positive trends and negative disruptions. High trading volumes often reflect optimism and bearish sentiment, driven by economic growth, supply chain shocks, or geopolitical uncertainties. As with all commodity assets, the key contract is futures for several types of sugar. The most commonly traded futures are No. 11 and No. 16, representing futures contracts for the physical delivery of raw cane sugar.

• Contrary to what many people think, gold is not the most expensive metal to trade.
• You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
• Whilst it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research we will not seek to take any advantage before providing it to our clients.
• Like other commodity instruments, corn is traded on exchanges in the form of futures, which involve both physical delivery and non-delivery.

Crude Oil: The Most Traded Commodity in the World

We recommend that you seek independent financial advice and ensure you fully understand the risks involved before trading. In 2022, 39,350,157 Futures and Options contracts of Soybean were traded on the CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade). In addition to the main contract, there are various soybean related commodities.

Wheat

You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. The commodity’s price reacts to geopolitical tensions that can cause supply and demand imbalances. Natural gas is increasingly important for power generation and heating, with rising demand worldwide.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil

While oil ranks first in the world in terms of physical supply, gold trading is the global leader in exchange-traded contracts. Gold is a global commodity equivalent against which all world currencies are valued. Throughout history, gold has been considered the main measure of wealth and prosperity, and it is for this reason that the volume of gold trading grows year after year. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

• The significance of these most traded goods has even influenced the top 5 most traded currencies in the world.
• In addition to the main contract, there are various soybean related commodities.
• Precious metals will be the exception, as elevated global economic uncertainty is likely to keep investor demand high.
• FocusEconomics provide hundreds of consensus forecast reports from the most reputable economic research authorities in the world.

Crude oil remains a top-traded commodity because it continues to play a critical role in powering industries, transportation, and households globally. The demand for crude oil is supported by industrial needs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, which have maintained its importance in the global economy. Commodity markets underpin the global economy, enabling the trade of raw materials to fuel industries, economies, and everyday life. High trading volumes in these markets are more than just a reflection of demand – they also signal investor sentiment and market conviction, whether optimistic or cautious. The highest traded commodity – crude oil 0 will likely retain its dominance for a while yet, but the most traded commodities in the world stretch beyond energy, and into agriculture, and metals.

The key marketplace for trading coffee bean futures is the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in the US, where Arabica contracts are traded. Robusta is traded mainly on the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE). Futures for both types of coffee are traded on the Tokyo Grain Exchange (TGE). Commodity trading is available both in physical form and in the form of standardized contracts. If a trader is not interested in the delivery of actual goods, they can purchase contracts for difference (CFD) and earn money on price swings. Trading on the commodity market is popular because these trading instruments are relatively predictable.

Why is crude oil still a top traded commodity despite the shift towards renewable energy?

In contrast, there were just 458,999 Steel Futures and Options Contracts traded on the London Metal Exchange in 2019. Technology, construction, fashion and investing are the main industries which demand vast amounts of metals. So when you’re deciding the best commodity to trade, think about your goals and strategy – and always be sure to research the market thoroughly. Gold, on the other hand, is seen as a store of value in times of economic trouble, and can act in an inverse way to oil. The material provided here has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Whilst it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research we will not seek to take any advantage before providing it to our clients.

In June 2020, following the WTI Futures price crash, the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) revived trading volumes, with an average of 1,870 contracts being traded each day. Their presence underpins all aspects of the modern global economy, from the cars we drive to the food we buy and the electricity we summon with the press of a button. But which commodities are the most important, and what is the outlook for commodity prices in 2025 according to our Consensus forecast? The top ten list below is based on trade value data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC). Past performance is no indication of future performance and tax laws are subject to change.

Together, they form the top 10 commodities in the world, the foundation of global trade. When we talk about the highest traded commodity, we are really talking about the backbone of the global economy. These are the assets that underpin transport, energy, food supply, and industrial production. Crude oil, for example, is widely considered the largest traded commodity in the world, given its central role in powering economies. As a rule, the top five most traded commodities change frequently, which is due to the seasonal nature of demand for certain goods.

In the summer of 2025, our Trading Co-Pilot showed how oversupply capped price rallies even as sanctions risk premia temporarily boosted Brent crude. By separating signal from noise, we helped traders avoid chasing unsustainable rallies in the largest commodity in the world. This list of commodities represents the biggest commodities in the world, with enormous implications for economies and markets. For traders, they are the best commodities to trade thanks to their liquidity and volatility.

Futures contracts are popular on major exchanges, while CFDs on commodities are offered by most Forex brokers. However, the first place in the world in terms of trading volume is rightfully held by the arbitrage on the Brent/WTI price difference. This position is often referred to as a spread, as traders essentially compare the prices of these grades and bet on the difference widening or narrowing.