What do steel, coffee and gasoline have in common? They are commodities which are globally consumed on a daily basis. Before being consumed, the materials make their way through their value chains. Traders play a key role in these chains. They match supply and demand by purchasing and selling commodities. As the commodity markets involve trillions of dollars, this leads to a substantial financing need, which has led to the emergence of the field of Trade & Commodity Finance.

This book provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the fascinating topic of Trade & Commodity Finance. This book will be of interest both to people with a general interest in the field and to trade and finance professionals.

The book contains five sections: commodities and trade; traders; industry specifics; banks; and financial analysis. Examples and illustrations from the metals industry clarify the arguments made in the text. This makes it a recommended read for every person who would like to learn more about Trade & Commodity Finance.

The author holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Groningen. He started his career with Rabobank as a global trainee, after which he joined Rabobank’s Trade & Commodity Finance department. Currently, he is working as a relationship manager within the European Metals & Minerals team.