1. According to sources, Indonesia plans to tighten export controls on commodities such as coal and palm oil to combat tax evasion and support the continuously falling Indonesian rupiah.
2. According to Mysteel, satellite data shows that from May 11th to May 17th, 2026, total iron ore inventories at seven major ports in Australia and Brazil reached 13.797 million tons, an increase of 736,000 tons compared to the previous period, continuing the upward trend. Current inventory levels are slightly higher than the average since the second quarter.
3. On May 18th, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs held a video conference to deploy the implementation of the newly revised comprehensive regulation and control plan for pig production capacity, analyze the current pig production situation, further clarify the responsibilities of all parties, and promote the shift of the pig industry from quantitative expansion to high-quality development.
4. According to data released by shipping survey agency SGS, Malaysia's palm oil exports from May 1st to 15th are estimated at 430,474 tons, a decrease of 5.17% compared to the 453,941 tons exported in the same period last month.
5. The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) stated in a statement on Tuesday that it expects crude palm oil prices to remain around 4,400 ringgit (US$1,110) per tonne in June, primarily due to support from global biofuel policies and increased supply uncertainty caused by weather risks.
6. According to SMM, Indonesia's nickel ore mining quotas will be significantly tightened in 2026, exacerbating the nickel ore supply shortage. As a result, some high-nickel pig iron production lines in Indonesia have already entered maintenance and reduced production since March-April due to insufficient nickel ore supply and high costs.
7. Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has taken strict action against mining companies that have not completed administrative compliance procedures. More than 50 mining and coal operating licenses (IUP) have been temporarily frozen because these companies have not yet submitted their 2026 mining work plan and budget proposal (RKAB). 8. Consulting firm Veeries indicates that Brazil's soybean crop acreage for 2026/27 is projected to see the lowest increase in 20 years, with an estimated increase of approximately 400,000 hectares.
9. The Brazilian National Association of Grain Exporters (ANEC) forecasts that Brazil's soybean exports in May will reach 16.1 million tons, up from 16 million tons the previous week. Brazil's soybean meal exports in May are projected to reach 2.8 million tons, up from 2.9 million tons the previous week.
