Strong Source

Tom Kopczynski, a seasoned commodity market expert and former senior cocoa trader at Blenheim Capital Management, shares his insights into the world of trading. He discusses the impact of macroeconomic factors on commodity markets and the challenges faced by fundamental traders in an increasingly electronic environment. Tom reveals the importance of order flow and origin hedging for cocoa positioning, and contrasts hedge fund culture with merchant trading. He also reflects on the future of the cocoa industry and the need for better risk management among producers.

Chris Mahoney, former CEO of Glencore Agriculture and Olympic rower, shares his fascinating journey from the rowing lanes of Moscow to the helm of a global agriculture giant. He discusses how his athletic discipline shaped his entry into commodity trading and the critical role of teamwork in achieving success. Chris delves into Glencore's strategic pivot towards asset ownership and the importance of psychological resilience in trading. He also emphasizes the value of work-life balance while defending the essential role of trading houses in global food supply.

Willem Zimmerman, VP of Global Cocoa Trading at Barry Callebaut Group, shares his fascinating journey from coffee in the Ivory Coast to cocoa trading. He discusses the complexities of the cocoa supply chain, highlighting challenges like climate impacts and underinvestment. Willem contrasts physical trading with hedge fund strategies and emphasizes the importance of mentorship and consistency in trading. He also explores innovative solutions for increasing cocoa supply and offers insightful advice for newcomers to the commodities sector.

In this episode, we are joined by Jan Dieleman, an industry leader and a great example for aspiring commodity traders. Jan is the President of Cargill Ocean Transportation, based in Geneva, and has managed roles in the U.S. and Europe during his more than 20 years with Cargill. Across the maritime sector, Jan is a respected advocate for sustainable shipping, actively supporting reduced emissions, better vessel environmental performance, safer working conditions, and a more diverse workforce.

Stephane Bernhard, a seasoned commodities trader and former Global Head of Trading at ETG Commodities, shares his rich expertise in the trading landscape. He discusses building a trading edge through technical analysis and his macroeconomic insights, shaped by freight trading. Stephane delves into the complexities of the 2023 market, outlining challenges faced by commodity traders. He emphasizes the value of uncertainty in trading, risk management, and the importance of respecting market signals, sharing memorable lessons from his career.

In this engaging discussion, Ben Tacken, the Corporate Director of Purchase and Trading at DE Heus, shares his extensive experience in commodity trading. He dives into his early days at Cargill, the intricacies of moving from trading biodiesel to managing physical procurement. Ben contrasts futures trading with physical markets, explores the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on grain flows, and emphasizes the importance of a data-driven, fundamental trading style. He also addresses the need for diversity in trading roles and the growing public interest in commodities.

On this episode we sit down with Boudewijn van Vliet. Boudewijn's has a fascinating journey in the world of commodities, starting from his early days at Cargill in Amsterdam and Geneva. After six years, he made a significant move to Citi, where he became Head of Freight Trading. Today, Boudewijn serves as a board member and non-executive director of two companies in Geneva, while also leading the charge as the founder of Advanced Plastic Purification International NV (APPI). APPI is revolutionizing plastic waste management with its large-scale sorting and recycling facility, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Daan Vriens, CEO of Cefetra and seasoned commodity expert, shares insights from his dynamic career in tropical oils trading. He discusses his transition from a trader to leadership, emphasizing the importance of credibility and adaptability in management. Daan compares strategic planning to trading, highlighting the need to test assumptions and prioritize actions. He also delves into crisis leadership during COVID and the de-risking strategies adopted during the Ukraine crisis. With a focus on cultivating talent, Daan outlines his unique approach to decentralized organization and customer obsession.

David Behrends, Managing Partner and Head of Trading at Sucafina, shares insights from his extensive coffee trading career. He discusses the complexities of coffee markets, highlighting the differences between Arabica and Robusta beans. David also delves into the importance of collaboration and mentorship in trading, while touching on the challenges Gen Z faces in a digital age. He emphasizes innovation and technology's role in connecting agricultural supply chains, reflecting on how passion drives success in the coffee industry.

Ivo Sarjanovic, a successful trader turned advisor, professor, author, and VC ag tech investor, shares his insights in this podcast. Topics include his journey in commodity trading, lessons learned, delegating decision-making in trading, benefits of changing commodities, evolution of relationships in trading companies, trading philosophy and macro impacts in markets, and the importance of not being dogmatic in the commodity industry.