Commodities are the lifeblood of the global economy, fueling industries, powering homes, and feeding billions. For traders, they offer a unique opportunity to diversify portfolios, hedge against inflation, and capitalize on market volatility. But which commodities dominate global markets in 2025? In this data-driven guide, we’ll uncover the most traded commodities worldwide, backed by the latest research, and explore how you can trade them effectively—whether you’re aiming to pass a Tradexprop evaluation or grow a funded account. From crude oil’s energy dominance to gold’s safe-haven appeal, we’ll break down the trends, trading volumes, and strategies to help you stay ahead. Want to master forex alongside commodities? Check out our guide on most traded forex pairs. Let’s dive into the world of commodities!
What Are the Most Traded Commodities?
Quick Definition: Most Traded Commodities
The most traded commodities are raw materials or primary products, like crude oil, gold, and coffee, with the highest trading volumes on global exchanges, measured by the number of futures and options contracts traded annually.
The most traded commodities are determined by their trading volume—specifically, the number of futures and options contracts exchanged on major global exchanges like the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), and New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). These commodities are often categorized into energy (e.g., crude oil, natural gas), metals (e.g., gold, copper), and agricultural products (e.g., coffee, soybeans). Their high liquidity and volatility make them attractive to traders, offering opportunities to profit from both rising and falling prices. According to the Futures Industry Association (FIA), energy commodities alone accounted for over 30% of global commodity trading activity in 2024, a trend that continues into 2025. Let’s explore the top 10 most traded commodities, backed by the latest data, and see what’s driving their dominance.
Top 10 Most Traded Commodities in 2025: Data-Driven Rankings
Using data from the FIA, ICE, and CME Group, here’s a table of the top 10 most traded commodities in 2025, ranked by the number of futures and options contracts traded globally in 2024 (the most recent full-year data available). I’ve also included key trends for 2025 based on World Bank and Bloomberg reports.
| Rank | Commodity | Contracts Traded (2024, Millions) | 2025 Trends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crude Oil (Brent) | 246.9 (ICE) | Prices volatile due to OPEC cuts; up 5.6% in Q1 2025 (Bloomberg, March 2025). |
| 2 | Crude Oil (WTI) | 198.5 (CME) | US production is up, but geopolitical tensions drive volatility (World Bank). |
| 3 | Natural Gas | 128.7 (NYMEX) | Prices rose 4% in Q1 2025 due to cold weather demand (Reuters, March 2025). |
| 4 | Gold | 92.3 (COMEX) | Safe-haven demand rises amid tariff uncertainty; up 6.6% (World Bank, 2025). |
| 5 | Coffee (Arabica) | 78.4 (ICE) | Supply shortages in Brazil push prices up 3% (World Bank, Q1 2025). |
| 6 | Soybeans | 65.8 (CBOT) | Demand for biofuels grows; US exports to China up 5% (USDA, 2025). |
| 7 | Copper | 58.2 (LME) | EV and renewable energy demand drive 3.5% price rise (World Bank, 2025). |
| 8 | Silver | 49.6 (COMEX) | Industrial demand (solar panels) up; prices rise 6.6% (World Bank, 2025). |
| 9 | Wheat | 42.1 (CBOT) | Stable prices despite geopolitical risks (Focus Economics, 2025). |
| 10 | Corn | 38.9 (CBOT) | US production at 15B bushels; prices down 2% due to oversupply (ATFX, 2024). |
Key Insights:
- Energy Dominance: Crude oil (Brent and WTI) and natural gas lead, driven by global energy demand. Brent crude alone saw 246.9 million contracts traded on ICE in 2024, reflecting its role as a global benchmark.
- Precious Metals Surge: Gold and silver rank high due to economic uncertainty and industrial demand, with gold prices up 6.6% in early 2025 amid US tariff concerns (World Bank).
- Agricultural Volatility: Coffee and soybeans are influenced by weather and demand shifts, with coffee prices rising due to Brazilian supply issues.
Why These Commodities Are the Most Traded in 2025
Several factors drive the high trading volumes of these commodities:
- Global Demand: Crude oil and natural gas power industries and households, with demand tied to economic growth. The World Bank notes that oil prices are 30% above pre-COVID levels despite a projected 2025 decline.
- Safe-Haven Appeal: Gold and silver thrive during uncertainty. Reuters (March 2025) highlights gold’s rise due to tariff uncertainty under new US policies.
- Industrial Growth: Copper and silver benefit from the electric vehicle (EV) boom and renewable energy projects, with copper prices up 3.5% in 2025 (World Bank).
- Supply Constraints: Agricultural commodities like coffee face supply shocks—Brazil’s coffee production dropped in 2024 due to weather, pushing prices up (World Bank).
- Liquidity: High trading volumes ensure liquidity, reducing slippage. For Tradexprop traders, this means tighter spreads and better execution, crucial for staying within drawdown limits.
For more on managing risk, see our risk management guide.
How to Trade the Most Traded Commodities: Tips for 2025
Trading commodities requires understanding their unique drivers and managing risk, especially in a Tradexprop evaluation. Here are actionable strategies for the top commodities:
- Crude Oil (Brent/WTI): Use macro-driven strategies tied to OPEC decisions and geopolitical events. For example, buy on dips during supply cuts, with a stop-loss below key support (e.g., $80 for Brent). Monitor Bloomberg for price updates.
- Natural Gas: Trade seasonal trends—demand spikes in winter for heating (Reuters, 2025). Use CFDs to go long in Q4, with a stop-loss below the 50-day moving average.
- Gold: Capitalize on safe-haven flows during economic uncertainty. Pair with forex strategies—gold often moves inversely to the USD. Check our most traded forex pairs for USD correlations.
- Coffee: Monitor weather reports in Brazil. Go long on arabica futures during supply shortages, using momentum indicators like RSI to time entries.
- Copper: Align trades with EV trends—go long during renewable energy policy announcements. Use technical tools like moving averages to find entry points.
For more strategies, explore our trading strategies guide, which includes commodity correlations.
How Tradexprop Traders Engage with CFD Commodities
At Tradexprop, our traders actively engage with CFDs on commodities, leveraging the high liquidity and volatility of these markets to meet evaluation goals. Here’s a breakdown of their trading activity across key commodities, based on the percentage of total CFD commodity trades:
| Commodity | Percentage of CFD Commodity Trades | Insights |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 99.55% | Gold overwhelmingly dominates due to its safe-haven status and high liquidity, making it the top choice for Tradexprop traders. |
| Oil | 0.27% | Minimal activity reflects oil’s high volatility, which poses risks for prop traders under strict drawdown rules. |
| Silver | 0.17% | Low engagement, likely due to silver’s lower liquidity and wider spreads compared to gold, making it less appealing for evaluations. |
Analysis:
- Gold’s Overwhelming Dominance: Tradexprop traders heavily favor gold, with an impressive 99.55% of CFD commodity trades. This aligns with gold’s global ranking as the 4th most traded commodity (92.3M contracts in 2024, COMEX) and its safe-haven appeal. Gold’s tight spreads and high liquidity make it ideal for prop traders aiming to stay within Tradexprop’s 8% max drawdown on a $100k account ($8,000), especially during economic uncertainty (gold prices up 6.6% in Q1 2025, World Bank).
- Minimal Oil and Silver Activity: Oil (0.27%) and silver (0.17%) see very low activity among Tradexprop traders. Oil’s volatility (up 5.6% in Q1 2025, Bloomberg) can quickly breach drawdown limits, making it a riskier choice for prop trading evaluations. Similarly, silver’s lower liquidity and wider spreads compared to gold make it less attractive, despite its global trading volume (49.6M contracts in 2024, COMEX).
- Takeaway for Traders: If you’re in a Tradexprop evaluation, gold CFDs are the clear choice for stability and liquidity, as evidenced by our traders’ overwhelming preference. However, if you’re skilled at managing volatility, oil can offer opportunities.
Challenges and Opportunities in Commodity Trading for 2025
- Challenges:
- Volatility: Geopolitical tensions (e.g., Middle East conflicts) and weather events (e.g., Brazilian droughts) can spike prices unexpectedly (World Bank, 2025).
- Liquidity Risks: Less-traded commodities like corn may face slippage, impacting Tradexprop traders aiming to stay within drawdown limits.
- Opportunities:
- Diversification: Commodities often move inversely to equities, reducing portfolio risk.
- High Returns: High volatility offers profit potential—coffee prices rose 3% in Q1 2025 due to supply issues (World Bank).
To navigate volatility, consider scalping in trading for short-term commodity trades.
FAQ: Common Questions About Trading Commodities in 2025
What makes crude oil the most traded commodity?
Its role in global energy markets and high volatility drive trading volumes. Brent crude alone saw 246.9M contracts traded in 2024 (ICE).
How can I trade commodities in a Tradexprop evaluation?
Focus on high-liquidity commodities like crude oil and gold to minimize slippage. Use tight stop-losses to stay within drawdown limits.
What are the best times to trade natural gas?
Winter months see higher demand for heating, driving prices up. Check optimal trading times in our forex market hours guide, as commodity markets often align with forex sessions.
