Commodity prices in August 2026: the biggest changes
In August 2026, 26 of 42 benchmark prices rose and 14 fell, with 2 unchanged; the median change was +1.0%. Fishmeal rose most, +18.9%: largest one-month rise since January 2013. Palm kernel oil fell most, −6.2%. 3 prices set a record in cash terms: fishmeal, copper, tin.
Biggest gains
| Commodity | Price | Month | 12 months | How unusual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishmeal | $2,500/t | +18.9% | +43% | Largest one-month rise since January 2013 |
| Sugar | $0.38/kg | +11.8% | +3% | Largest one-month rise since April 2023 |
| Silver | $65.4/troy oz | +11.2% | +71% | Largest one-month rise since January 2026 |
| Platinum | $1,780/troy oz | +9.7% | +33% | Largest one-month rise since January 2026 |
| Crude oil | $90.9/bbl | +9.0% | +33% | Largest one-month rise since April 2026 |
| Gold | $4,411/troy oz | +8.3% | +31% | Largest one-month rise since January 2026 |
| Zinc | $3,875/t | +7.7% | +39% | Largest one-month rise since October 2024, the 5th rise in a row |
| Cotton | $2.11/kg | +7.7% | +22% | Largest one-month rise since April 2026 |
Biggest falls
| Commodity | Price | Month | 12 months | How unusual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm kernel oil | $2,264/t | −6.2% | 0% | Largest one-month fall since June 2026 |
| Bananas | $1.1/kg | −6.0% | +8% | Largest one-month fall since June 2025 |
| Natural gas | $2.77/MMBtu | −4.2% | −5% | Largest one-month fall since July 2026 |
| Coconut oil | $1,853/t | −3.7% | −32% | Largest one-month fall since June 2026, the 5th fall in a row |
| Urea | $390/t | −2.5% | −23% | Largest one-month fall since July 2026, the 4th fall in a row |
| Potash | $386.9/t | −2.4% | +9% | Largest one-month fall since October 2024, the 3rd fall in a row |
| Tea | $2.91/kg | −2.3% | −4% | Largest one-month fall since January 2026 |
| Chicken | $1.69/kg | −2.3% | +1% | Largest one-month fall since June 2026, the 3rd fall in a row |
New records
These prices reached their highest monthly average in the series in August 2026, in cash terms: fishmeal ($2,500/t), copper ($14,326/t), tin ($55,385/t). A cash record is not the same as a record after inflation; the real-prices report shows every price against its inflation-adjusted peak.
Long runs
Prices that have now moved in the same direction for four or more months in a row: zinc, 5 rises (+7.7% in August 2026); cocoa, 5 rises (+6.1% in August 2026); coconut oil, 5 falls (−3.7% in August 2026); oranges, 5 falls (−1.3% in August 2026); urea, 4 falls (−2.5% in August 2026); beef, 4 falls (−0.4% in August 2026).
By category
| Category | Average change | Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Fibres & other raw materials | +6.2% | 2 |
| Metals | +4.9% | 10 |
| Grains & cereals | +4.1% | 3 |
| Softs | +4.1% | 4 |
| Energy | +2.4% | 3 |
| Timber & forest products | +1.7% | 3 |
| Fertilizers | −0.8% | 4 |
| Oilseeds & vegetable oils | −1.3% | 7 |
| Livestock, meat & dairy | −1.6% | 3 |
| Fruit & vegetables | −3.6% | 2 |
Biggest changes over twelve months
| Commodity | Price | 12 months | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | $65.4/troy oz | +71% | +11.2% |
| Tin | $55,385/t | +64% | +4.6% |
| Copper | $14,326/t | +48% | +5.8% |
| Fishmeal | $2,500/t | +43% | +18.9% |
| Wheat | $330/t | +43% | +6.5% |
| Oranges | $0.77/kg | −40% | −1.3% |
| Zinc | $3,875/t | +39% | +7.7% |
| Crude oil | $90.9/bbl | +33% | +9.0% |
See also every benchmark price, the pattern reports, and the price movers feed. Data: monthly.json.