Energy:
1. Saudi Finance Minister: (Crude oil) Producing countries need some time to increase production.
2. Sri Lankan Deputy Energy Minister: Five more emergency coal supplies are expected.
3. Before the Iranian Foreign Minister posted about opening the Strait of Hormuz, a large short position of $760 million appeared in the oil market.
4. Market news: Major Russian Black Sea ports have resumed crude oil loading operations at key berths.
5. Polish Energy Minister: As of now, Poland has not released any aviation fuel from its reserves.
6. US Energy Secretary: Gasoline prices may not return to below $3 per gallon until next year.
7. Iraqi official: Millions of barrels of crude oil exports will be blocked due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
8. International Air Transport Association: It is expected that by the end of May, some flight cancellations in Europe may begin due to a lack of aviation fuel.
9. European Commission spokesperson: If the Strait of Hormuz blockage continues, the EU is prepared to take joint action on the issue of aviation fuel.
10. Indian government official: It is expected that India's demand for liquefied petroleum gas will decline in the summer. Refineries are struggling to secure oil shipments to meet local demand.
11. U.S. Department of Energy: Of the planned 30 million barrels of crude oil release, 26.03 million barrels have been borrowed from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).
12. The volume of U.S. crude oil transported via the Panama Canal is nearing its highest level in four years.
Precious Metals and Mining:
1. India issued a notice on gold and silver imports ahead of the holidays, resolving customs clearance obstacles caused by policy confusion.
2. The Indian government announced that it will restrict exports of certain grades of natural barium sulfate.
3. Commerzbank: Expects silver prices to reach $90 per ounce by the end of the year.
4. Sources: Codelco, Chile's state-owned copper company, has set a total copper production target of 1.5 million tons for 2027.
Agriculture:
1. According to TASS: Russia is considering extending some fertilizer export quotas.
2. According to Interfax: Russia announced zero tariffs on wheat exports from April 22 to 29.
3. Sources: The US is leading a G20 initiative to promote coordinated action to ensure fertilizer supplies and address disruptions to food trade supply chains.
Strait of Hormuz Situation:
1. The Houthi rebels in Yemen have threatened to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
2. Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz since the evening of the 18th until the US blockade is lifted.
3. Iran plans to enact a law governing the Strait of Hormuz, prohibiting Israeli-related vessels from passing through.
4. A UK maritime analysis firm reports that 35 ships turned back while en route to the Strait of Hormuz in the past 36 hours.
5. Sources say that after the Iranian conflict, South Korea may send an existing Middle Eastern anti-piracy force to join a multinational naval coalition to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
