Let us look at the top commodities in terms of volumes and value. Which are the best commodities to trade in India and the top commodities in India for trading in futures. We shall typically focus on MCX high-volume commodities since it is the most liquid exchange of the two. We also focus on the most active commodities in terms of volumes traded and value traded and we shall take 2021 as the base to compute our rankings. Here is a quick look at the ranking of top commodities for 2021.
We look at top commodities under the following 10 categories.
- Top Commodities by Volumes – Agri Products
- Top Commodities by Value – Agri Products
- Top Commodities by Volumes – Base Metals
- Top Commodities by Value – Base Metals
- Top Commodities by Volumes – Bullion
- Top Commodities by Value – Bullion
- Top Commodities by Volumes – Energy
- Top Commodities by Value – Energy
- Top Commodities by Volumes – Indices
- Top Commodities by Value – Indices
TOP COMMODITIES IN INDIA
We will use the tabular ranking of commodities by volumes and volumes and identify the top commodities for the year to date 2021.
In the table below we look at the most active Agro commodities by traded contracts on the MCX for the year to date 2021. Here is the top commodities ranking of the category.
| Instrument Type | Year | Segment | Commodity | Traded Contract(Lots) | Total Value (Lacs) | Avg Daily Turnover (Lacs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUTCOM | 2021 | AGRO COMMODITIES | CPO | 730973 | 7851491.11 | 44865.66 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | AGRO COMMODITIES | COTTON | 323786 | 1848680.39 | 10563.89 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | AGRO COMMODITIES | MENTHA OIL | 23609 | 101022.63 | 577.27 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | AGRO COMMODITIES | RUBBER | 9447 | 15890.80 | 90.80 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | AGRO COMMODITIES | KAPAS | 2834 | 7195.69 | 41.1 |
In the table below we look at the most active Agro commodities by traded value on the MCX for the year to date 2021. Here is the top commodities ranking of the category.
| Instrument Type | Year | Segment | Commodity | Traded Contract(Lots) | Total Value (Lacs) | Avg Daily Turnover (Lacs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUTCOM | 2021 | AGRO COMMODITIES | CPO | 730973 | 7851491.11 | 44865.66 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | AGRO COMMODITIES | COTTON | 323786 | 1848680.39 | 10563.89 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | AGRO COMMODITIES | MENTHA OIL | 23609 | 101022.63 | 577.27 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | AGRO COMMODITIES | RUBBER | 9447 | 15890.80 | 90.80v |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | AGRO COMMODITIES | KAPAS | 2834 | 7195.69 | 41.12 |
In the table below we look at the most active Base Metal Contracts by traded contracts on the MCX for the year to date 2021. Here is the top commodities ranking of the category.
| Instrument Type | Year | Segment | Commodity | Traded Contract(Lots) | Total Value (Lacs) | Avg Daily Turnover (Lacs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BASE METALS | COPPER | 2987589 | 52518383.35 | 300105.05 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BASE METALS | NICKEL | 1765229 | 35094967.03 | 200542.67 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BASE METALS | ZINC | 1440822 | 16456942.06 | 94039.67 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BASE METALS | ALUMINIUM | 713385 | 6768815.23 | 38678.94 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BASE METALS | LEAD | 608054 | 5174924.23 | 29571.00 |
| OPT-OUT | 2021 | BASE METALS | COPPER | 671 | 12169.06 | 69.54 |
| OPT OUTv | 2021 | BASE METALS | ZINC | 2 | 21.84 | 0.12 |
In the table below we look at the most active Base Metal Contracts by traded value on the MCX for the year to date 2021. Here is the top commodities ranking of the category.
| Instrument Type | Year | Segment | Commodity | Traded Contract(Lots) | Total Value (Lacs) | Avg Daily Turnover (Lacs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BASE METALS | COPPER | 2987589 | 52518383.35 | 300105.05 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BASE METALS | NICKEL | 1765229 | 35094967.03 | 200542.67 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BASE METALS | ZINC | 1440822 | 16456942.06 | 94039.67 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BASE METALS | ALUMINIUM | 713385 | 6768815.23 | 38678.94 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BASE METALS | LEAD | 608054 | 5174924.23 | 29571.00 |
| OPTFUT | 2021 | BASE METALS | COPPER | 671 | 12169.06 | 69.54 |
| OPTFUT | 2021 | BASE METALS | ZINC | 2 | 21.84 | 0.12 |
In the table below we look at the most active Bullion Contracts by traded contracts on the MCX for the year to date 2021. Here is the top commodities ranking of the category.
| Instrument Type | Year | Segment | Commodity | Traded Contract(Lots) | Total Value (Lacs) | Avg Daily Turnover (Lacs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | SILVERMIC | 33618627 | 23019578.14 | 131540.45 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | GOLD PETAL | 10408919 | 490992.75 | 2805.67 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | SILVERM | 9489668 | 32481320.60 | 185607.55 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | GOLDM | 4566208 | 21620069.83 | 123543.26 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | SILVER | 3156891 | 64741130.30 | 369949.32 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | GOLD | 1601667 | 76024519.73 | 434425.83 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | GOLDGUINEA | 1267930 | 482172.12 | 2755.27 |
| OPT-OUT | 2021 | BULLION | GOLD | 215708 | 10454344.92 | 59739.11 |
| OPT-OUT | 2021 | BULLION | SILVER | 111566 | 2288548.96 | 13077.42 |
| OPT-OUT | 2021 | BULLION | SILVERM | 5739 | 19184.55 | 109.63 |
| OPTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | GOLDM | 372 | 1869.62 | 10.68 |
In the table below we look at the most active Bullion Contracts by traded value on the MCX for the year to date 2021. Here is the top commodities ranking of the category.
| Instrument Type | Year | Segment | Commodity | Traded Contract(Lots) | Total Value (Lacs) | Avg Daily Turnover (Lacs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | GOLD | 1601667 | 76024519.73 | 434425.83 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | SILVER | 3156891 | 64741130.30 | 369949.32 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | SILVERM | 9489668 | 32481320.60 | 185607.55 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | SILVERMIC | 33618627 | 23019578.14 | 131540.45 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | GOLDM | 4566208 | 21620069.83 | 123543.26 |
| OPTFUT | 2021 | BULLION | GOLD | 215708 | 10454344.92 | 59739.11 |
| OPTFUT | 2021 | BULLION | SILVER | 111566 | 2288548.96 | 13077.42 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | GOLD PETAL | 10408919 | 490992.75 | 2805.67 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | GOLDGUINEA | 1267930 | 482172.12 | 2755.27 |
| OPTFUT | 2021 | BULLION | SILVERM | 5739 | 19184.55 | 109.63 |
| OPTCOM | 2021 | BULLION | GOLDM | 372 | 1869.62 | 10.68 |
In the table below we look at the most active Energy Contracts by traded contracts on the MCX for the year to date 2021. Here is the top commodities ranking of the category.
| Instrument Type | Year | Segment | Commodity | Traded Contract(Lots) | Total Value (Lacs) | Avg Daily Turnover (Lacs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUTCOM | 2021 | ENERGY | NATURAL GAS | 30682294 | 89000348.30 | 508573.42 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | ENERGY | CRUDEOIL | 13152573 | 62197891.09 | 355416.52 |
| OPTFUT | 2021 | ENERGY | CRUDEOIL | 6158394 | 31793388.00 | 181676.50 |
In the table below we look at the most active Energy Contracts by traded value on the MCX for the year to date 2021. Here is the top commodities ranking of the category.
| Instrument Type | Year | Segment | Commodity | Traded Contract(Lots) | Total Value (Lacs) | Avg Daily Turnover (Lacs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUTCOM | 2021 | ENERGY | NATURAL GAS | 30682294 | 89000348.30 | 508573.42 |
| FUTCOM | 2021 | ENERGY | CRUDEOIL | 13152573 | 62197891.09 | 355416.52 |
| OPTFUT | 2021 | ENERGY | CRUDEOIL | 6158394 | 31793388.00 | 181676.50 |
In the table below we look at the most active Commodity Indices by traded contracts on the MCX for the year to date 2021. Here is the top commodities ranking of the category.
| Instrument Type | Year | Segment | Commodity | Traded Contract(Lots) | Total Value (Lacs) | Avg Daily Turnover (Lacs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUTIDX | 2021 | INDEX | MCXBULLDEX | 480195 | 3563750.77 | 20364.29 |
| FUTIDX | 2021 | INDEX | MCXMETLDEX | 261648 | 1956626.14 | 11180.7 |
In the table below we look at the most active Commodity Indices by traded value on the MCX for the year to date 2021. Here is the top commodities ranking of the category.
| Instrument Type | Year | Segment | Commodity | Traded Contract(Lots) | Total Value (Lacs) | Avg Daily Turnover (Lacs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUTIDX | 2021 | INDEX | MCXBULLDEX | 480195 | 3563750.77 | 20364.29 |
| FUTIDX | 2021 | INDEX | MCXMETLDEX | 261648 | 1956626.14 | 11180.7 |
Commodities for Beginners
Commodity futures and options can be traded on Indian commodity bourses like MCX, NCDEX, NSE, and BSE. Normally, commodity trading is predominantly done by those with existing exposure to an underlying. However, speculation is also quite common in the commodity markets. For beginners, the most recommended approach is to stick to the most liquid contracts in bullion or energy that are liquid.
One more option that beginners have is to trade the two commodity indices of bullion and base metals. The advantage with indices is that beginners don’t have to take on too much risk of individual commodity price fluctuations.
How does the Commodity Market Work in India?
In the Indian context, the commodity spot market and the commodity futures market trade distinct from one another. For example, the commodity spot market is normally under the control of the state governments or in specific cases of the agricultural ministry. The commodity futures and options market is regulated by SEBI. Even in options, the more liquidity contracts are the options on commodity futures rather than on spot commodities.
In India, markets exist for actual physical delivery through warehouses as well as for speculative trading. However, speculative traders have to square off their positions ahead of the physical expiry deadline otherwise margins may go up sharply. Commodity contracts also go through cycles like in the equity . Commodity derivatives are settled by actual physical delivery and also on a cash basis.
By continuing, I accept the and agree to receive updates on Whatsapp
Check out our attractive brokerage plans
Related Articles
- Retail Business Loans: The all-you-need to Know Guide
- What Is Commodity Transaction Tax?
- How to invest long term in commodities?
- How To Trade And Earn On The NCDEX?
- What Is Forward Markets Commission?
- What Is Different While Trading In MCX And NCDEX Markets?
- What Is A Bullion Market?
- How to avoid losses during commodity trading?
- What is MCX?
- Types of Commodities
- How Commodity Trading Works
- Role of Commodity Markets in India
- How to Trade in Commodities Market
- Where are Commodities Stored
- How does the Commodity Market Work in India
Frequently Asked Questions Expand All
Which commodity is best for trading?
There is nothing like the best commodity but ideally traders should focus on the commodity that is most liquid. Today, there are two indices viz. the index on bullion and the index on base metals that is quite actively traded in the Indian context. Traders can even trade in these indices which are more diversified and hence de-risked for the trader. This reduces their overall risk of trading and the vulnerability to a single commodity volatility.
What is the most profitable commodity to trade?
That varies from time to time and depends on the price. For example, through most of 2019 and 2020, gold and silver were among the most profitable commodities to trade. In the last 1 year, base metals like copper, zinc and aluminium have been extremely profitable commodities to trade. Eventually it depends on how you craft your strategy and maintain trading discipline. The basic rules in commodity trading remain the same.
