An Introduction to Trade and Commodity FinanceWith examples from the trade in metals Gideon de Jong

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.