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Following a rocky few years for markets, including the war in Ukraine and other shocks, we expect commodities to be less volatile in 2024, as a post-pandemic normal finally emerges.
Let’s start with energy. At least for now, there is no sign of a crude oil price spike. Global supply is not too tight, with production in the U.S. and a few other non-OPEC countries growing fairly swiftly. This is offset somewhat by OPEC and Russia holding down their output.
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Expect prices to stay at $75-$80 per barrel through late winter, then a modest spring increase, barring a major geopolitical crisis. The Middle East remains the biggest risk. Ongoing conflict has yet to disrupt oil supplies, but the Strait of Hormuz could be at risk if the U.S. and Iran ever engage in direct conflict. Roughly a fifth of global oil passes through the strait, so any disruption in the Middle East could cause the price per barrel to skyrocket. Absent this scenario, look for gasoline prices to rise to at least $3.60 per gallon this spring, up from $3.28 now. Diesel, now at $4.10 per gallon, could reach the $4.50-$4.75 range if it’s a fairly normal year (no recession, etc.).
Natural gas stands to remain cheap. Benchmark gas futures have dropped below $2 per million British thermal units on mild weather. Without a prolonged spell of cold weather, gas supplies will be above normal, and prices should stay low.
Base metal prices will decline by 5%, versus a 10% drop in 2023.
Nickel will lead the sector lower, with a 22% price decline. Markets now face an oversupply, thanks to the recent production explosion in Indonesia, which now accounts for 43% of global nickel output. Nickel will play a crucial role in the clean-energy transition, but it is now used largely in stainless steel fabrication.
Aluminum supply growth will also outpace demand, resulting in prices that are 1.6% lower than last year’s average. China, the world’s largest producer of aluminum, will expand its output by 2.2%. Production will expand elsewhere, too, though U.S. supplies could temporarily tighten after the closure of a Missouri smelter.
Copper is a notable exception, with supply disruptions in Latin America resulting in a global deficit and price increases of 5%, compared with last year.
The downward trend in agricultural prices will continue, though risks remain. Supply prospects have improved for staples like corn, soybeans and wheat, but ongoing conflict in Ukraine could still choke off that country’s grain exports.
The big wild card in any commodities outlook: China, the largest consumer of raw materials in the world. Chinese demand for commodities has been resilient so far but depends on Beijing stepping up fiscal support for its shaky economy.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
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