The global iron ore market: From cyclical developments to potential structural changes
JEGOUREL, Yves
Laboratoire d'analyse et de recherche en économie et finance internationales [Larefi]
Laboratoire d'analyse et de recherche en économie et finance internationales [Larefi]
JEGOUREL, Yves
Laboratoire d'analyse et de recherche en économie et finance internationales [Larefi]
< Réduire
Laboratoire d'analyse et de recherche en économie et finance internationales [Larefi]
Langue
EN
Article de revue
Ce document a été publié dans
The Extractive Industries and Society. 2020-06-01, vol. 7, n° 3, p. 1128-1134
Résumé en anglais
This article reviews how financialization has affected the iron ore market since the turn of the century. We account for the existence of a Chinese iron ore futures market, the emergence of which can be explained by the ...Lire la suite >
This article reviews how financialization has affected the iron ore market since the turn of the century. We account for the existence of a Chinese iron ore futures market, the emergence of which can be explained by the progressive inability of long-term commercial contracts to meet the needs of players in the value chain, in a context marked by abundant supply, price competition between the main producers and high price volatility. We also focus our analysis on what this financialization reveals about the future of iron ore markets and, more generally, the future of the mining industry. Three elements appear essential. They are as follows: (1) the possible inclusion of environmental criteria in the purchasing policy of steelmakers, which could result, all other things being equal, in greater demand for high grades and the affirmation of the 65% iron (Fe) grade as the new international price reference; (2) a progressive financialization of the upstream economic sectors, particularly minerals, in a context where base metals are all subject to future contracts; and (3) a growing assertion of Chinese commodity exchanges internationally in order to offer both price references in line with the economic weight of this country and hedging instruments designed for domestic industries.< Réduire
Mots clés en anglais
Commodity prices
Iron ore
Financialization
Steel industry
Environment