In the wake of faster economic growth and thus higher demand for commodities in the Western world, the upward trend of the prices for industrial raw materials continued during 1972, and indeed gathered speed, on world markets. The following contribution is an analysis of the development in the...

Since April 1984 there has been a general fall in world market prices for industrial raw materials following upon increases which, in some cases, had been quite considerable. What are the reasons for this development? What are the prospects for 1985?

This article may be of particular interest in view of the fact that UNCTAD has now for the first time set down a schedule for preparatory negotiations on raw materials. The resolution of UNCTAD IV on the treatment of the integrated action programme for raw materials is now to be realised....