Commodities

Record Gold Demand Expected to Surge in 2024 Amid Federal Reserve’s Rate Cut Plans

Published

9 months ago

January 31, 2024

Amidst anticipation of a Federal Reserve rate cut, the global demand for gold is expected to surge in 2024, according to projections from the World Gold Council (WGC).

Last year, total gold demand rose by approximately 3% to 4,899 tons, representing the highest figure recorded since 2010.

This surge was fueled by robust demand in the over-the-counter market and sustained buying by central banks, reflecting the metal’s appeal as a hedge against economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.

Joseph Cavatoni, the WGC’s chief market strategist, highlighted the favorable landscape for emerging central banks to continue increasing their gold reserves.

Notably, countries like China and Poland are expected to lead the charge in record buying, contributing to the overall surge in demand.

The comprehensive gold demand encompasses various sectors, including investment, jewelry, coins, central bank acquisitions, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and over-the-counter transactions.

The over-the-counter market, in particular, witnessed exponential growth in 2023 with demand soaring by 753%, the highest since 2011.

Investors, including sovereign funds and hedge funds, sought refuge in gold bars amidst economic and political uncertainties.

Central banks maintained a brisk pace of acquisitions, with net purchases totaling 1,037 tons in 2023, just shy of the record set in the previous year.

The WGC forecasts central bank purchases to exceed 500 tons in 2024, underlining the sustained interest in gold as a strategic asset.

As the Federal Reserve signals a potential shift towards rate cuts, investors are likely to further bolster their gold holdings, seeking refuge from lower Treasury yields and a weaker dollar.

With expectations of increased demand in the coming year, gold prices may witness significant upside potential, potentially surpassing $2,200 per ounce.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Commodities

Agric Industries Take Interest In Unlocking Nigeria’s $10bn Palm Oil Export Potential

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

Some agric-focused industries and firms have indicated interest in enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and competitiveness through the nation’s $10 billion palm oil export potential.

At the launch of a new report by a research and advisory firm, Vestance, significant untapped opportunities within Nigeria’s oil palm sector were revealed.

Discussing how the nation could regain its lost glory in palm oil production and exportation, stakeholders in the sector emphasised the need for government agencies, private sector investors, smallholder farmers, research institutions, and development partners to work together to help change the narratives in the palm oil sector.

Titled “Reclaiming Lost Glory: Nigeria’s Palm Oil Renaissance,” the report, which was unveiled in Lagos disclosed that Nigeria, despite being a major producer historically, currently exports only $1.34 million in palm oil, ranking 78th globally, while importing $372 million annually

Vestance’s Research Lead, Razaq Fatai, said the report illustrates the immense opportunities lying dormant in the country’s underutilised oil palm plantations, noting that by capitalising and rejuvenating these plantations, Nigeria could generate over $10 billion in export revenue alone.

He explained that Nigeria’s palm oil production began to decline during the country’s civil war between 1967 and 1970, saying, it is now time to begin to reverse the decline and put the sector back on track.

Speaking at a panel session on ways to revitalise the oil palm sector, experts proffered means by which challenges confronting the palm oil sector could be tackled.

In his submission, the Managing Director, SWAgCo (O’dua Investment Group), Dr. Adewale Onadeko, said Nigeria should embrace an agro-industrial cluster strategy, adding that essential infrastructure such as seeds, fertilisers, extension services, processing, and storage facilities should be prioritised if the expected gains could be realised.

Another panellist, Dr. Bayo Ogunniyi, Country Programme Analyst for International Fund for Agricultural Development, highlighted the myriad challenges facing smallholder farmers, particularly the lack of access to finance and the prevalence of old, low-yield seeds.

He underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to distribute high-quality seeds to smallholder farmers to enhance production levels.

Ogunniyi also pointed out that the oil extraction rates of smallholder palm oil processors are alarmingly low, often falling below 15 percent, compared to the 25 percent extraction rates achieved by modern processing mills. Improving these extraction rates is crucial for maximising the output from Nigeria’s palm oil sector.

In his own contribution, CEO of BulkDirect, Ramses Najem, emphasised the importance of situating processing facilities closer to the farms to reduce transportation challenges.

Other speakers at the report launch called for a nationwide adoption of high-yield seeds to boost production, investment in modern processing facilities to increase oil extraction rates, and the development of strategic transportation networks to streamline the supply chain.

Commodities

Cooking Gas Prices Surge Amidst Import Reliance, NIPCO CEO Calls for Local Refinery Support

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2024

Yetunde Olugbenga

Just like the surge in fuel pump prices, the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has increased.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) Plc, Suresh Kumar, has urged the Federal Government to encourage Dangote Refinery and other domestic refineries to produce LPG to help lower the soaring price of cooking gas.

According to experts, the increase in cooking gas prices was due to insufficient local production.

Meanwhile, at the recently concluded National Conference of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers 2024, held in Lagos, Kumar revealed that over 60 percent of the cooking gas consumed in Nigeria is imported, which is a major factor behind the price hike.

Kumar acknowledged that support for local refineries would boost cooking gas production and reduce LPG importation.

“There is hope that reliance on imported LPG will decrease, which will positively influence domestic prices. Greater local production will make LPG more affordable since it reduces exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations and international pricing dynamics,” he stated.

Kumar further noted that the Federal Government should provide financial aid by investing in local refineries to accelerate LPG production, meet public demand with adequate supply, and reduce costs.

“We must work with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and other stakeholders to end gas flaring in the country. Substantial investments are needed to capture and process flared gas to increase domestic supply beyond the current 1.5 million MT to at least 5 million MT annually,” he reiterated.

As of the time of this report, Investors King gathered that in the Osogbo area of Osun State, the price has risen from N1,400 to N1,500. In Ilorin, Kwara State, it is currently being sold for N1,500.

Meanwhile, in Lagos State, the current price is N1,400, compared to the previous price of N1,300.

Commodities

Federal Government Expands Subsidized Rice Program to Lagos, Kano, and Borno

Published

1 month ago

October 2, 2024

Bassey Marshall

The Federal Government has announced that Lagos, Kano, and Borno will be the next states that will benefit from its subsidized rice program aimed at addressing economic hardship in the country.

The initiative aims to sell a 50kg bag of rice for ₦40,000.

According to a director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, plans are already underway to roll out the food subsidy program in these states.

Investors King learned that since the launch of the subsidized rice program in September, only civil servants in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have benefited from it.

However, the director revealed that the government is ready for the next phase of the program, which will help address growing food insecurity in Nigeria.

The source disclosed that the next phase, set to begin shortly, is part of a broader strategy by President Tinubu’s administration to ensure that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.

The official also dismissed reports that the sale of subsidized rice has been suspended in Abuja, clarifying that the intervention is still in its early stages.

According to him, while the ministry is actively coordinating with other states, sales are ongoing in Abuja.

“As I speak to you now, we are about to activate sales in Lagos and Kano states, with Borno State also set to be addressed,” the agriculture ministry official stated.

“We’ve barely started; how can we stop? Sales are ongoing, and we are actively engaging with other states,” he added.