Råvara

Råvara is a basic material that is extracted, harvested, or produced from nature and used as an input in the manufacture of goods or the generation of energy. In economics and trade, råvaror are typically traded as standardized units on commodity markets, enabling buyers and sellers to transfer price and supply risk. They form the foundation of many industries and infrastructure projects.

Common categories of råvaror include energy råvaror such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal; metals råvaror such as iron ore, copper, aluminum, and precious metals; and agricultural råvaror such as wheat, corn, soybeans, coffee, and cotton. Forestry products and other biological resources are sometimes included as well.

Trading and price formation: Prices for råvaror are determined by global supply and demand, extraction or harvest costs, storage and logistics, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical and macroeconomic factors. Weather and climate can strongly affect agricultural yields, while political instability can disrupt energy supplies. Råvaror are traded on organized exchanges and over-the-counter markets, with instruments such as futures and options used to hedge price risk. Major venues include the London Metal Exchange, NYMEX, CBOT, and ICE, among others.

Economic importance and sustainability: Because råvaror underpin manufacturing and energy systems, their prices influence inflation, production costs, and economic growth. The extraction and use of råvaror raise environmental and social concerns, including resource depletion, pollution, and conflicts over scarce resources. Responsible sourcing, governance, and environmental considerations are increasingly integrated into råvaruhandeln (commodity trading) and policy discussions.