The simple commodity producer could aim just to trade his products for others with an equivalent value, or he could aim to realise a profit.

For a while, the world's commodity producers had an easy life.

The disruption from new digital technology has only intensified the pressure on traditional commodities producers.

The company, like most other miners and commodity producers, has been hit by the double whammy of falling prices and a shortage of credit.

The world for commodity producers looks much as it did in the 1960s.