Commodities

Commodities are basic goods used in commerce that are interchangeable with other goods of the same type. They are typically raw materials or primary agricultural products that can be bought and sold. Commodities are often categorized into two main types: hard commodities, which are natural resources that are mined or extracted, such as oil, gold, and metals; and soft commodities, which are agricultural products or livestock, such as wheat, coffee, sugar, and live cattle.

The main characteristic of commodities is their uniformity; one unit of a commodity is typically the same as any other unit of that commodity, which allows them to be traded on exchanges. Commodities have a significant role in global trade and economies, as they serve as essential inputs for various industries and are often affected by market demand, supply-chain factors, and geopolitical events. Prices for commodities are generally determined by market forces and can be very volatile, reflecting changes in supply and demand dynamics. Investors often trade commodities as part of their investment strategy to hedge against inflation or diversify their portfolios.