We begin with some questions about how economic development occurs. devques
Commodities trade on futures markets more than cash markets. Here’s how futures and options work. futures Remember that banks and investment houses can do “private” OTC deals that aren’t on any exchange.
Commodities are key to development. Here’s a quick survey of key questions and the commodities that are most traded. commods
Here are two blog-type services that monitor global trade issues. Both are pretty good for story ideas and finding sources. Global trade alert. Commodities Now.
Want to see all the futures markets that are traded publicly? Go to ino.com.
Here’s the World Bank’s latest commodities outlook and analysis.
United Nations Conference on Trade & Development’s commodities program.
Why did food prices spike higher and then collapse, and what are the consequences? See the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization report.
The IMF says commodities prices will continue to boom and bust. See this pdf. spotlight
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange has great technical information and news on commodities contracts.
The International Institute for Sustainable Development’s Global Initiative on Commodities. A nonprofit’s take on what needs to happen.
The Center for Global Development’s topics page. You’ll find the food and agriculture section especially interesting.
It’s 10 years old, but it’s a good academic look at the various types of trade barriers. Worth reading.
Another more current, and more concise, look at how tariff and nontariff trade barriers work. 816-sumner
Ever hear of the Group of 77? It includes developing countries. It will be interesting to see how it functions now that the G-20 has basically replaced the g-8.
Here’s a glossary of terms used by the World Trade Organization. It’s from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The world is supposedly using a “Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System” to help organize and manage commods trade. Here is the U.N.’s description of the system.
Here’s the U.S. Trade Representative’s tariff page. You’ll find a complete description of how the U.S. throttles international trade.
The World Trade Organization’s documents-online page. Lots of stuff about world tariffs and trade rules here.
Want a particular country’s customs service? Here’s where to find it.
The nonprofit Global Policy Forum says the Doha round won’t cure a global food shortage.
The Asian Development Bank’s topics page. Lots of relevant information here.
The OECD’s topics page. You’ll find lots about commodities and development.