This was a week of divergence. Base metals and ocean freight pushed higher while ferrous and fertiliser markets softened, leaving buyers to balance firm spot costs against a busier-than-usual shipping calendar. Below is the net move for each group, the week's biggest movers, and what to watch in the days ahead. For grades, specifications and quotations, each section links through to the relevant product catalogue page.
Week at a glance
| Group | Net move | The week in one line | Catalogue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron ore & steel | Softer | Chinese rebar futures slipped toward CNY 3,140/t — six-week lows — as seasonal demand faded; export rebar held near US$590/t FOB Turkey | Steel Products |
| Copper | Firm | LME 3-month near US$13,700/t and up on the week, holding close to record territory | Non-Ferrous |
| Aluminium & zinc | Mixed | Aluminium choppy around US$3,500/t after an early-month sell-off; zinc broadly flat near US$3,500/t | Non-Ferrous |
| Industrial minerals | Steady | Barite, gypsum and aggregates tracking firm regional construction demand | Minerals |
| Petrochemicals | Lower | Urea near US$400/t, down sharply on the month; methanol and bitumen steady-to-soft | Petrochemicals |
| Polymers (PE/PP/PVC) | Softening | PVC correcting across China and SE Asia; PE steady, PP eased modestly on weaker feedstock signals | Polymers |
| Ocean freight | Sharply up | Drewry's World Container Index rose ~3% to about US$3,549/40ft, with Asia–Europe and Transpacific lanes spiking | Logistics |
The week's biggest movers
Steel & iron ore
Ferrous markets gave back ground this week. Chinese rebar futures eased toward CNY 3,140 per tonne, hitting roughly six-week lows as the market entered its seasonally weak demand period earlier than usual — persistent rainfall and an early summer heat wave have slowed construction activity. Export benchmark rebar FOB Turkey held near US$590 per tonne, keeping a floor under offer levels. For project buyers, the softer futures curve opens a constructive window to negotiate forward tonnage; certified grades and standards are detailed on our Steel Products and Semi-Finished Steel pages, part of our Industrial Products & Commodities sector.
Copper & non-ferrous
Non-ferrous metals were the firmest corner of the complex again. Copper traded near US$13,700/t on the LME three-month and finished the week higher, holding close to record levels on structural tightness and electrification and AI-infrastructure demand. Aluminium was choppier — it had sold off hard at the start of the month, finishing one early-June week around US$74/mt lower, before stabilising near US$3,500/t. Zinc was broadly flat around US$3,500/t. Buyers of cathodes, billets, ingots and wire rod should continue to budget for elevated pricing; see specifications on our Non-Ferrous Metals catalogue.
Industrial minerals
Industrial minerals — barite, bentonite, gypsum, aggregates and cement clinker — held steady through the week, underpinned by construction and infrastructure activity across the GCC and wider region. Supply remained reliable through our quarry and partner network, backed by lab certification and the logistics strength described in our Supply Chain & Logistics capability. Browse grades on the Industrial Minerals page, part of our Mining, Minerals & Natural Stone sector.
Petrochemicals
Petrochemical markets drifted lower on the week. Urea sat near US$400/t and is down roughly 29% over the past month, though it remains modestly above year-ago levels — a window for contract buyers to secure cover. Methanol in Asia held near recent levels with the Middle East steady on export demand, while bitumen tracked feedstock and seasonal road-programme demand. Sulphur and base oils rounded out a steady-to-soft picture. Available products — urea, sulphur, bitumen grades, base oils and methanol — are listed on our Petrochemicals & Chemicals page.
Plastics & polymers
Polymer markets softened at the margin. PVC showed early signs of correction across China and Southeast Asia as domestic and export prices eased after a prolonged uptrend. PE grades were broadly stable — HDPE film and injection offers held in the high-US$1,300s/t range in early-month assessments — while PP eased modestly, with raffia and injection grades shading lower on softer feedstock signals. Net: a balanced-to-soft window for converters to replenish selectively. View resin and film options on our Plastics & Polymers page.
Freight & trade policy
Logistics was the week's standout. Drewry's World Container Index rose about 3% to roughly US$3,549 per 40ft container, with Asia–North Europe spot rates jumping around 27% in a single week to near US$3,649 and Transpacific lanes climbing on a peak-season rush. The driver: shippers front-loading cargo ahead of expected US tariff changes in the second half of 2026, compounded by added World Cup-related demand. On policy, a fresh Section 232 proclamation took effect on 8 June, broadening derivative-product coverage and lowering the US-content threshold for relief from 95% to 85%. Both developments feed directly into landed costs — our logistics and global sourcing teams plan around them so delivered pricing stays predictable.
Week ahead
Watch three things. First, whether Chinese ferrous demand stabilises as the rainy season passes — a floor under rebar would firm export offers. Second, copper's proximity to record levels, where any supply headline can move the curve quickly. Third, freight: if tariff front-loading intensifies, container rates could extend their climb, so locking shipping windows early is prudent. With base metals firm, ferrous and fertiliser softer, and freight rising, a selective forward-cover approach — securing steel and urea cover, timing polymer buys to the soft trend, and booking freight ahead — looks sensible. Arian Holding's global sourcing and quality-assurance teams can structure compliant, multi-grade supply across all of the above. Request a quote and our trade desk will respond with current, firm pricing for your specifications.
Sources: Trading Economics (steel, urea); London Metal Exchange (copper, aluminium, zinc); SteelOrbis; ChemOrbis; Drewry World Container Index; Freightos; Crane Worldwide (Section 232). Figures are indicative market levels for the week to June 14, 2026 and are provided for general information, not as trading advice.