Investing in soft commodities
Agricultural or 'soft' commodities include edible goods such as sugar, coffee and wheat, and textile raw materials, such as cotton. Private investors have increasingly been able to play these once-obscure markets through specialist funds.
Recent articles
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(06 February 12)
With water shortages becoming more common, there is a desperate need for new infrastructure to bring fresh water to those that need it. Merryn Somerset Webb looks at how to invest in this undervalued resource.
(26 August 11)
As the world's population increases and urbanises, demand for water is going to go through the roof. Water will increasingly become a commodity that will be traded like oil and wheat. That spells opportunity, says David Stevenson. Here, he explains the best ways to invest in water.
(08 August 11)
A sharp rise in the price of sugar has been blamed on falling production in Brazil. A lack of investment in the sugar industry there has led to older, lower-yielding sugar canes and the price rise is set to continue.