Kinshasa, July 12th, 2026 (CPA). – The price of crude oil, one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s main export commodities, stood at USD 71.8 per barrel on international markets as of July 2nd, 2026, compared with USD 75.5 the previous week, representing a weekly decline of 4.9%, according to a report consulted by CPA on Sunday.
« As of July 2nd, 2026, the price of crude oil settled at USD 71.8 per barrel, down 4.9% compared with the previous week, » the economic outlook report of the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) stated. According to the source, the decline mainly reflects easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, coupled with expectations of increased global oil supply. Compared with December 31, 2025, Brent crude prices have risen by 17.9%, while recording an annual increase of 7.9%. Meanwhile, copper traded at USD 13,318.13 per ton, up slightly by 0.1% compared with June 25, 2026. The increase was mainly driven by persistent global supply constraints amid stronger industrial production in China. Compared with the end of December 2025, copper prices increased by 6.2%, while posting a year-on-year gain of 34.6%, the report revealed. Gold traded at USD 4,115.2 per ounce, up 2.7% compared with June 25th, 2026. The increase was mainly supported by the weakening of the US dollar and continued geopolitical uncertainty, which sustained demand for safe-haven assets. Compared with the end of December 2025, however, gold prices remain down by 4.9%, although they have risen by 25.2% on an annual basis.
Agricultural commodity prices
Regarding agricultural commodities, the report indicated that rice, wheat and maize traded at USD 300.7, USD 220.5 and USD 162.3 per ton, respectively. Compared with June 25, 2026, prices rose by 1.5% for rice, 0.1% for wheat and 6.6% for maize. According to the document, these increases were mainly attributable to adverse weather conditions affecting harvests in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as export restrictions imposed by several major producing countries. Compared with the end of December 2025, rice, and wheat and maize prices increased by 37.2%, 18.4% and 0.1%, respectively. On a year-on-year basis, they posted gains of 2.4%, 11.8% and 8.6%, respectively. Since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East and the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, global agricultural commodity prices have remained highly volatile. The FAO Food Price Index has been driven upward by soaring fertilizer costs—nearly 30% of which transit through the region—as well as rising fuel prices.