Commodity prices on February 25th: Copper reaches a 2-week high, rubber hits a 1-year peak.
The trading session on February 25 saw sharp increases in copper and soybean prices due to recovering demand, while oil prices remained stable despite a 16 million barrel increase in US crude oil inventories.
At the close of trading on February 25, 2026 (early morning of February 26, Vietnam time), the global commodity market witnessed dynamic movements in the metals and agricultural sectors. While crude oil prices remained stable amid geopolitical risks, copper prices reached a two-week high and rubber peaked in a year thanks to positive signals from global demand.
Oil prices remained stable despite a sharp increase in US inventories.
Oil prices were virtually unchanged on Wednesday as supply concerns stemming from potential military tensions between the U.S. and Iran balanced out pressure from a larger-than-expected increase in U.S. crude oil inventories. Specifically:
- Brent crude oil:The price rose 8 cents, closing at $70.85 per barrel.
- WTI oil:Prices fell 21 cents to $65.42 per barrel.
According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA), US crude oil inventories surged by 16 million barrels last week, far exceeding analysts' forecasts of a 1.5 million barrel increase. However, market concerns remain about potential supply disruptions from the Middle East. In response, Saudi Arabia has activated a short-term production increase plan, while the OPEC+ alliance is considering adding 137,000 barrels per day from April to meet peak summer demand.
Industrial metals: Copper and iron ore prices rise.
Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose 1.1%, reaching $13,318 per ton, their highest level since February 11. The surge was driven by a US Supreme Court ruling against retaliatory tariffs, coupled with increased import demand from China. The Yangshan copper differential index jumped to $53 per ton on February 24, reflecting strong demand in the world's leading consumer.
In the Chinese market, May iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) rose 1.42%, reaching 752.5 yuan (equivalent to $109.56) per ton. Expectations of blast furnaces resuming operation after the Lunar New Year holiday boosted investor sentiment.
Agricultural products: Soybeans reach a 3-month high, rubber rises for the 6th consecutive session.
On the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), May soybean futures rose to $11.65 per bushel, the highest level since mid-November last year. Optimism about demand for biofuel production in the U.S. and export orders to China were the main factors supporting prices.
Notably, rubber prices in Japan rose for the sixth consecutive session, reaching a one-year high. On the Osaka Exchange (OSE), the August contract rose 1.46% to 374.2 yen ($2.40) per kilogram. Tight supply due to weather conditions in major producing countries like Thailand and Indonesia is putting upward pressure on global prices.
Trends in other commodities
The markets for other commodities also experienced significant fluctuations:
- Road:Raw sugar prices rose 0.3% to 14.59 cents/lb due to forecasts of a decline in Indian production to 29.3 million tonnes.
- Coffee:Arabica prices edged down 0.2% to $2.8485/lb, while Robusta prices rose 1.7% to $3,703/tonne.
- Other metals:Aluminum rose 2.5% ($3,171), zinc rose 0.2% ($3,388), and nickel rose 0.9% ($18,080).
Overall, commodity markets are in a sensitive phase due to geopolitical shifts and the recovery in demand following the holiday season in Asia. Investors are now focusing their attention on the OPEC+ meeting on March 1st to determine short-term supply and demand trends.
