The economic slowdown in China and its impact on commodity markets

After decades of strong economic growth, industrialisation, urbanisation and rising living standards, China has become a dominant player in commodity markets. It is the largest global producer and consumer of a wide range of commodities. Although it is largely self-sufficient in most of them, it is a big importer of agricultural and some energy commodities as well as industrial metals and the commodities used to produce them. Economic growth in China is therefore closely monitored and analysed. The gradual economic slowdown in China is triggering concerns and uncertainty among many analysts as to how it might affect prices on global commodity markets. Chinese demand for commodities nonetheless remains strong.