News and events on what’s impacting the world of procurement and supply chain

India’s decision to impose curbs on exports of white and brown rice could see countries like Thailand and Vietnam jointly hiking export prices, to raise concerns about global food security yet again. Meanwhile, congestion at American ports is leading to a demand for warehousing, even as vacancy levels continue to stay low.

Chinese control over global Lithium mining and processing — this includes strategic acquisitions in South America — could lead to supply pressures surrounding the metal, which could in turn see EV production slowing down to a significant extent. Meanwhile, the packaging industry is bracing for tighter regulations even as the United States is all set to see a sub-par soybean harvest.

Glass-makers are at a loss for ideas as a shortfall in energy supplies is impacting production at several glass-manufacturing hubs in Europe. Meanwhile, ocean carriers to the US are blanking sailings thanks to port congestion, even as the shortage in gas is threatening to cripple the North Eastern states.

A six-day power-cut in China could set off a supply crunch in global silicon and polysilicon supplies, which in turn could see prices of semiconductors increase. On the metals front, Chinese exports of aluminium and alumina to Europe have hit top gear, and could go a long way in rebalancing the global supply chain. Meanwhile, a look at the earnings chart of global IT services majors reveals that American companies are dialling down on procurement.

Europe’s power crisis may impact the world’s Zincoutput, as prices of the metal see a spike. However, in the US, key legislation could give the plumbing and fittings business a major shot in the arm, while rising global temperatures are seeing the cooling segment take on new clients in the IT space.

As Russian fertilizer imports dwindle, data indicates that Morocco is increasing its production in order to offset Europe’s fertilizer shortfall. However, in North America, cement supplies are hard to come by across select US markets and in Canada, even as the trucking purge in the US could see the rise of the LTL service sector.

Inclement weather in India and Vietnam could strain global rice supplies amid fears of a shortage. These apprehensions are compounded by reports of China and Bangladesh increasing rice imports this year. Meanwhile, in Europe, the shortfall in Russian crude may be offset thanks to supplies from Iraq and Saudi Arabia

A pronounced oversupply in trucks and truck drivers amid an uncertain economic climate and slowing imports has left trucking in the United States in the midst of a difficult situation. Falling spot rates and reports of layoffs in truck companies and marketplaces have done no favours to what is fast-becoming an industry plagued with challenges.

The EV push the United States alone could see the demand for Graphite hit top-gear, but prices aren't exactly going off the charts. Copper scrap too has turned into a valuable commodity, but present-day copper lifecycles have made sourcing the metal all the more complicated. Europe's unforgiving summer this year has seen Germany and Spain turn to solar power even as both countries have also decided to increase capacity.

Europe’s power crisis may impact the world’s Zincoutput, as prices of the metal see a spike. However, in the US, key legislation could give the plumbing and fittings business a major shot in the arm, while rising global temperatures are seeing the cooling segment take on new clients in the IT space.