🌴Palm oil v Gold — which has been higher priced historically?
(The answer may surprise you)
Sharpfokus Brief — September 19, 2025
For decades — from the 1960s through the 2000s — palm oil consistently traded at a higher price per ton than gold per ounce. In the 1960s, palm oil at $200–300 a ton was already higher than gold at $35 an ounce.
By 1984, palm oil had already reached close to $1,000 a ton, while gold was around $360 an ounce. Through the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s, palm oil mostly stayed above gold.
Even as recently as 2008–2011, palm oil spiked above $1,200 a ton while gold was only just crossing $1,000 an ounce.
It was only after 2013 that the trend reversed — gold held above $1,000 while palm oil slipped back. Today, palm oil is around $1,000 per ton versus gold at $3,700 per ounce.
So for most of modern history, palm oil was the stronger priced commodity. If history is any guide, today’s wide gap could mean palm oil has room to rise again.
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Data, not advice
(The answer may surprise you)
Sharpfokus Brief — September 19, 2025
For decades — from the 1960s through the 2000s — palm oil consistently traded at a higher price per ton than gold per ounce. In the 1960s, palm oil at $200–300 a ton was already higher than gold at $35 an ounce.
By 1984, palm oil had already reached close to $1,000 a ton, while gold was around $360 an ounce. Through the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s, palm oil mostly stayed above gold.
Even as recently as 2008–2011, palm oil spiked above $1,200 a ton while gold was only just crossing $1,000 an ounce.
It was only after 2013 that the trend reversed — gold held above $1,000 while palm oil slipped back. Today, palm oil is around $1,000 per ton versus gold at $3,700 per ounce.
So for most of modern history, palm oil was the stronger priced commodity. If history is any guide, today’s wide gap could mean palm oil has room to rise again.
🔗 sharpfokus.com/subscribe
Data, not advice