Changing Dynamics of Commodities Amid Covid

The exponential surge in India's Covid-19 cases has affected the country's energy, metals, and agriculture markets, casting a shadow on the international price outlook of some commodities.

Oil: According to experts, India would witness a year-on-year oil demand growth of 400,000 b/d in 2021, lower than an earlier estimate of 440,000 b/d. 

With lockdowns like restrictions in major cities and industrial places and work from the home mode of working, the oil demand will be less.

India's domestic gasoline consumption had staged a strong rebound to 8 million mt in the fourth quarter of 2020 from a low of 5 million mt in the second quarter of 2020, Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell data showed. As per some surveys by some global research agencies, the demand slipped to 7.8 million mt in Q1 this year and was expected to pull back sharply to 6.5 million mt or lower in the second quarter.

Regional lockdowns threaten mobility and industrial activity. Refiners are reported to have cut run rates marginally. The run rates remained good until March, with average runs rising to 99 per cent in March from 97 per cent in February.

The aviation and industrial fuel demand will take a hit. Some refineries may cut jet fuel and diesel output. Some of the major construction projects were reported to have been put on hold to avoid crowded work environments.

Gas: Likewise, the country’s city gas demand could drop by 25 per cent - 30 per cent in the coming months. LNG regasification volumes are reported to be down by more than 10 per cent. Higher inventories are further reported at Dahej and Hazira. Contracted cargoes may not have been cancelled however the spot demand is said to have been affected. 

Steel: Steel production may be least affected.

Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India have announced plans to supply oxygen for medical use.

Despite the tumble in the automotive sector, hot-rolled coil prices remain high in India even as domestic steelmakers step up efforts to supply liquid medical oxygen to offset the strain caused by the surge in Covid-19 infections.

Steel-consuming sectors were, however, undergoing a greater degree of operational cuts due to the oxygen shortage. Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotorCorp recently announced temporary production shutdowns.

The pandemic situation could potentially disrupt pellet exports. The Indian seaborne pellet prices are facing rising pressure. At the ports, the loading operations are likely to be affected due to manpower shortages.

Agriculture: Agriculture and allied activities have been exempted from government restrictions so far, several markets remain closed. Micro and local level restrictions have stagnated market demand for agricultural commodities in some pockets

• Rabi crop and harvest are expected to be good. However, storage and transportation could be tricky under current circumstances. Hopefully, the good harvest will have a salutary impact. During the previous year, it was positive

• Agricultural exports for commodities, such as sugar, are steady. The sugar stocks have been seeing an upward trend.

• Almost three-fifths of the country's palm oil consumption comes from hotels, restaurants, and food catering sectors. The demand may be affected.

• With some markets shut and supplies remaining tight, domestic wheat prices had risen in other trading centers. In Rajasthan's key market, Jaipur, wheat prices increased to nearly Rs 18,742/ mt ($250/mt) against around Rs 17,769/mt at the beginning of April.

• According to USDA Attache, the wheat exports from India during the year 2021-22 could be at 2 million MT, 26 per cent lower compared to the previous year

• At Indore, the major trading center in Madhya Pradesh state, the demand for wheat has been hit as the market is shut due to the lockdown imposed by the state government.

• The farmers may find it difficult to sell to private traders due to localised restrictions of movement of people and goods. The market participants in physical markets opine that the total wheat procurement by the government from farmers could exceed expectations. This could potentially tighten supply in the open market and lead to a rise in domestic prices.

Oilseeds & Impact on Cotton - The edible oil pack gave phenomenal returns in FY21, with crude palm oil topping rising as much as 73 per cent. Soybean was also a major gainer, with the price jumping 63 per cent followed by soy oil (58 per cent).

Farmers could be more inclined towards cultivating oilseed crops against other Kharif crops such as cotton, which can give good returns in the latter part of the year on any decline in acreage compared with last year.

 The author is  President at Commodity Participant Association of India, CPAI

DISCLAIMER: Views expressed are the author's own, and Outlook Money does not necessarily subscribe to them. Outlook Money shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly.