Metals prices outlook revised downward as China battles coronavirus

Commodity prices have fallen sharply since January as China battles to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than a thousand people and disrupted factories and businesses in the world's second-largest economy.

Prices of agricultural produce, metals, energy and industrial raw materials have fallen 5 per cent to 20 per cent in the last two weeks, as China is the world’s biggest consumer and producer of several commodities. Base metals and oil prices have been particularly hit. The Bloomberg Base metals index has dropped 10 per and Brent by 17 per cent since the outbreak began late last year.

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