Core Industries and Raw Materials Supply Chain Daily Briefing — 2026-11-06

1. Commodities Market Trends (Commodities)

• Crude Oil (WTI/Brent): Oil prices have recently rebounded, and instability in energy prices continues. The World Bank projected that global shocks will drive a 23% increase in commodity prices by 2026.
• Industrial Metals (Copper): Copper prices stabilized above $14,000 per ton after hitting a 2.5-month low. This is analyzed as a process of catching up with losses in AI and semiconductor-related assets. Chile's copper outlook has improved, while price forecasts have been revised upward.
• Nickel: LME and SHFE nickel prices rose 3.4% and 2.54% respectively, recording the largest gains among metals.
• Battery Metals (Lithium): Lithium prices fell in the third quarter due to inventory concerns in China, but long-term storage demand and supply risks are expected to support prices.

2. Supply Chain Issues (Supply Chain)

• Semiconductor Memory Shortage: The global semiconductor supply chain is under severe pressure, with RAM shortages and price hikes continuing.
• Logistics Strategy Shifts: Rising memory costs and supply constraints are prompting electronics manufacturers to review their shipping strategies. This aims to balance air and ocean freight costs with production continuity.
• India Logistics Infrastructure: India's semiconductor industry expansion is testing its logistics readiness. Experts point out the need for specialized logistics systems.

1 sources

worldbank.org

worldbank.org

3. Core Industries Trends (Core Industries)

Semiconductors

• The semiconductor supply chain remains fragile, with geopolitical risks impacting logistics. Electronic component shortages are reshaping global logistics strategies.
• The semiconductor industry is expected to reach $1 trillion in 2026, and the restructuring of global supply chains is well underway.

Secondary Batteries & EVs

• Chinese battery manufacturers secured a 56.4% share of the overseas EV battery market in the first three quarters of 2026, dominating the global market.
• The U.S. has established federal-level plans to build a domestic battery supply chain by 2030, but tens of billions of dollars worth of battery projects have already been canceled.

4. Corporate Major News (Corporate Moves)

• U.S. Federal Government: Announced a strategy aiming for U.S. self-reliance in battery supply chains by 2030.
• Chinese Battery Manufacturers: Strengthened market dominance by capturing more than half of the global overseas market share.

5. Today's Insight (Analysis)

Amid volatility in the commodity market, the sharp rise in nickel and the high levels of copper stand out. In particular, the strength in nickel prices appears to reflect expectations of a recovery in battery demand. On the other hand, semiconductor and memory chip supply chain bottlenecks continue to pose major threats to the global IT and automotive industries.

On the supply chain front, China's battery industry has achieved an overwhelming 56.4% share in overseas markets, confirming its superiority in both technology and production capacity. In response, the U.S. government emphasizes its strategy to build a domestic supply chain by 2030, but canceled large-scale projects suggest difficulties in achieving these goals. This battery supply leadership competition between the U.S. and China will significantly impact future critical mineral supply and demand, as well as the investment strategies of related companies.

6. What to Watch Next

• U.S. Battery Project Trends: The scale of canceled projects and whether the federal government will announce additional support plans.
• Semiconductor Memory Price Trends: Whether the RAM shortage persists and changes in logistics costs for electronics manufacturers.
• China's Overseas Battery Market Share: Whether the 56.4% market share is maintained and news of new orders.

7. Reader Action Items

• Procurement Teams: Must review diversification strategies that reflect price hike risks when entering into long-term contracts for memory semiconductors and RAM sectors.
• EV/Battery Industry: Must reassess U.S. domestic supply chain support policies and non-Chinese battery sourcing options to lower dependence on Chinese batteries.
• Investors: Need to adjust portfolios considering price volatility and geopolitical risks of essential battery minerals.

Source Principle: All figures, company names, and contract details in this briefing are cited exclusively from the original text specified above. No information outside of the research results is included.