Hoarding of primary commodities

Background

The global significance of hoarding primary commodities emerged during the 20th century, particularly amid wartime shortages and oil crises, when sudden supply disruptions exposed vulnerabilities in food, fuel, and raw material markets. International concern intensified as governments and private actors stockpiled essential goods, exacerbating price volatility and scarcity. Subsequent economic studies and policy debates have highlighted hoarding’s role in amplifying global inequities and destabilizing supply chains, prompting ongoing scrutiny by organizations such as the FAO and WTO.