Commodity Traders Thrust Into the Spotlight as War Exposes Risks

  • Surging commodity prices have increased traders’ funding needs
  • The trading industry relies heavily on financing from banks

The commodity trading industry is dominated by a group of mostly private companies.

Photographer: Oliver Bunic/Bloomberg
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The world of commodity traders has long been a secretive one. The merchants who buy and sell the world’s resources have a massive global reach but are mostly privately owned and tend to operate away from public and regulatory view.

Suddenly, it seems that everyone is talking -- and worrying -- about them.