World markets
World trade in wheat flour will fall to a four-year low in the 2025/26 marketing year. This forecast was issued by the International Grains Council (IGC). According to the organization’s estimates, trade volumes will be about 16 million tons (in terms of wheat), which is 3% less than last year. Sales are falling for the second season in a row.
The world is going through a period of deep uncertainty, characterized by a series of crises and large-scale transformations, and the globalization process is in regression. This was stated by Moldovan President Maia Sandu at the conference organized by the European Business Association “EBA Business Outlook 2026”.
The government is analyzing three economic scenarios, including the most pessimistic one, if the global energy crisis drags on. President Maia Sandu spoke about this at a press conference.
In 2025, Brazil recorded the highest agricultural production in history and consolidated its position as one of the world’s leading powers in food production. This is according to the latest data from the Brazilian State Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
Following Trump’s ultimatum, Iran said that along with military bases, U.S.-affiliated financial institutions holding U.S. government bonds would be targeted.
In the Dutch real estate market, foreign buyers are less likely to overpay than locals, according to Logos Press.
It is not only oil and gas markets that are feverish amid the deepening crisis in the Middle East due to the US-Israeli war against Iran. The Russian Central Bank’s gold reserves last month fell to a four-year low of 74.3 million troy ounces, the lowest since April 2022, when 74.1 million remained in reserve.
The energy systems of the ASEAN+3 countries, a group that includes members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan and South Korea, are under increasing strain. Climate shocks are jeopardizing infrastructure and security of supply. Rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure has caused a surge in demand for electricity. Geopolitical tensions are creating new volatility in global energy markets.
By the end of the current week gold in bullion was sold at about $4685 per ounce. That is, the price fell by about 7% during the week. The sharp rise in oil, natural gas and fuel prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East increases inflationary concerns and makes it less likely that central banks will reduce the cost of borrowing. This has a negative impact on gold as it does not earn interest income.
The volume of car imports from China to the European Union for the first time exceeded the export of European car products to China, Ernst & Young (EY) – one of the world’s largest audit and consulting companies – reported.
Ships that are not linked to “Iran’s enemies” can pass through the Strait of Hormuz with the agreement of security measures with Tehran. This was stated by the representative of the Islamic Republic to the International Maritime Organization Ali Mousavi, Reuters reports.
The Euro showed surprising stability last week, contrary to the broader change in sentiment over the energy crisis and was the target of a sell-off within a basket of G10 currencies.
American billionaire Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, is seeking funds for the development of a startup Project Prometheus, which aims to use artificial intelligence in various areas of production to improve the efficiency of specialized industries.
Bitcoin clawed back a week’s worth of gains in just one weekend.
China is the world’s largest exporter of goods and plays a central role in supply chains for many countries. Nevertheless, Moldova is not critically dependent on imports of Chinese products.
The $80 billion global diamond industry is experiencing one of the most serious crises in history. Demand is declining, both rough and treated stones are becoming cheaper, and market participants have less and less faith in a quick recovery.
“The supply shocks underscore the risk that oil prices could stay above $100 longer in risky scenarios with longer disruptions and greater sustained supply losses,” Goldman Sachs analysts said.
Brussels has urged EU states to lower their gas storage fill targets and begin gradual replenishment of reserves amid a surge in energy prices due to the war in the Middle East.
The attacks on Iran increased the wholesale price of flour-grade wheat from the Black Sea region by about $6/t.
The Iranian authorities have put into circulation banknotes with a face value of 10 million rials, the largest in the country’s history. The decision was due to accelerating inflation and a sharp increase in demand for cash among the population.
