Crude Oil:
1. White House economic advisor Hassett: US President Trump believes the oil price increase is temporary.
2. International Energy Agency Executive Director: The current energy crisis exceeds the sum of the previous three crises, potentially ushering in a "Black April."
3. South Korean presidential official: Will visit Kazakhstan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia to secure fuel supplies.
4. Traders indicate Russia plans to export 794,000 tons of petroleum products from the Black Sea port of Tuapse in April, up from 755,000 tons in March.
5. Documents and shipping data show that Reliance Industries of India has begun loading a 2 million barrel shipment of crude oil directly purchased from Venezuela's state-owned oil company.
6. Saudi Aramco announced its official selling prices for May Arab Light crude oil: a premium of $14.60/barrel to Argus Sour crude for US markets; and a premium of $14.60/barrel to Brent crude for Northwest Europe.
7. Basra Oil Company Manager: If shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes, Iraq could restore oil exports to 3.4 million barrels per day within a week. Iraq has not yet received any written guarantees allowing tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Precious Metals and Mining:
1. Goldman Sachs forecasts an average copper price of $12,650 in 2026, up from its previous forecast of $12,850.
2. Indonesian Mining Ministry official: To date, the government has approved nickel mining quotas of approximately 190 million to 200 million tons for 2026.
Agriculture:
1. India seeks 2.5 million metric tons of urea due to supply disruptions in the Middle East.
2. US winter wheat rating is 35% good/excellent, lower than analysts' expectations.
Middle East Situation:
1. Two Qatari LNG carriers turned back; passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.
2. Indian government official: Unaware that Iran was charging tolls for passing vessels.
Other: 1. The Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine and the Ukrainian side signed a protocol on the export of Ukrainian wheat flour to China.
