Summary: Commodities, encompassing a broad array of raw materials from metals to agricultural products, are a popular avenue for investors seeking diversification or a hedge against inflation. One of the simplest and safest ways to invest in commodities is through a regulated online broker like eToro. Keep reading as we investigate the top 5 commodities to invest in 2026.
Best Commodities Broker for Intermediate Traders and Investors
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Invest in 30+ commodities and 3,000+ other assets including stocks and cryptocurrencies.
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0% commission on buying stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.
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Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.
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eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.
5 best commodities to invest in 2026
The practice of trading commodities dates back to the annals of human history, outdating the trading of stocks and bonds by several centuries, as ancient tribes and nascent kingdoms would barter and trade with each other, exchanging food, supplies, and other items.
In our modern era, the trading of commodities continues unabated, magnified significantly in its scale and global reach, and there are more options for participating in the commodity markets than ever before (we’ll get into that later).
But for now, here are five commodities you should consider adding to your portfolio in 2026.
#1 Gold
Long regarded as a safe-haven asset, gold typically benefits when the U.S. dollar weakens, interest-rate expectations shift, or central banks increase their reserves. After periods of consolidation driven by tighter monetary conditions, renewed market volatility, persistent inflation concerns, and heightened geopolitical uncertainty have continued to support gold prices near record levels.
Analysts broadly remain constructive on the metal’s outlook, pointing to sustained institutional and ETF demand alongside ongoing central-bank accumulation as key drivers. With many policymakers continuing to add gold to their reserves and macroeconomic risks still elevated, the metal’s longer-term bullish narrative remains intact.
61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
#2 Silver
Silver plays a dual role as both a critical industrial input and a store of value, with demand increasingly tied to the expansion of renewable energy and electrification. Its use in solar panels, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics continues to grow, supporting structurally strong industrial consumption.
At the same time, the silver market has faced recurring supply shortfalls, as production growth struggles to keep pace with rising demand, reinforcing a tightening supply-demand balance.
Beyond its industrial importance, silver is also viewed as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty, with investors often turning to the metal during periods of market stress and geopolitical tension, adding further support to its longer-term investment appeal.
61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
#3 Base metals
Base metals such as aluminum, zinc, copper, nickel, and tin are foundational to modern industry, with widespread use across construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. While generally more affordable and widely available than precious metals, their prices are increasingly influenced by structural demand growth from emerging economies and supply-side constraints in key producing regions.
Aluminum has attracted particular attention due to production limits in major markets, while zinc and copper remain sensitive to shifts in mine supply, trade policies, and global industrial activity.
Although some metals continue to face periods of oversupply or uncertain outlooks, persistent demand from urbanization, electrification, and infrastructure development supports a constructive long-term case for base metals as part of a diversified investment strategy.
61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
#4 Cattle
Cattle has emerged as a compelling real-asset investment, supported by tightening supply conditions and resilient global demand for beef. Structural challenges such as drought, higher feed costs, and long herd-rebuilding cycles have constrained cattle inventories, limiting supply even as consumer demand remains firm and supports elevated prices.
International trade dynamics further reinforce this outlook, with major exporters stepping in to meet demand across North America and Asia, underscoring beef’s global appeal. Advocates of tangible assets, including Rich Dad, Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki, have highlighted premium cattle such as Wagyu as an attractive investment due to strong branding, cash-flow potential, and insulation from fiat-currency risks, reinforcing cattle’s role within a broader hard-asset strategy.
61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
#5 Coffee
As one of the world’s most widely consumed beverages, coffee is both a daily staple and a critical global commodity that supports the livelihoods of millions of small-scale farmers across South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Production remains concentrated in a handful of key countries, most notably Brazil, alongside Vietnam, Colombia, and Indonesia, leaving global supply highly sensitive to regional disruptions.
In recent years, coffee prices have experienced heightened volatility, driven largely by climate-related challenges such as extreme weather, shifting rainfall patterns, and the spread of crop diseases in major producing regions. These supply-side pressures, combined with steady global consumption, have reinforced coffee’s role as a commodity increasingly shaped by environmental risk and structural constraints.
61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
If you’re looking for commodities not on this list, check out our selection of commodity investing guides here:
- How to Invest in Platinum;
- How to Invest in Copper;
- How to Invest in Wheat;
- How to Invest in Corn;
- How to Invest in Sugar;
- How to Invest in Soybeans;
- How to Invest in Cocoa;
- How to Invest in Rice;
- How to Invest in Lead;
- How to Invest in Cotton;
- How to Invest in Gasoline;
- How to Invest in Oil.
Note
How to invest in commodities: Step-by-step
You can start in minutes with a few simple steps:
- Step 1: Register on eToro and verify your new account (personal or business);
- Step 2: You have to fund your account before you can start buying commodities. Several deposit methods will be available to you, including linking your bank account, using a debit or credit card, as well as employing third-party payment methods like PayPal, Neteller, or Skrill;
- Step 3: Navigate to the commodities markets page, choose a commodity, and select TRADE;
- Step 4: Click on BUY for a long position (or SELL, if you want to go short);
- Step 5: Input the desired cash amount or number of units for your trade;
- Step 6: Review and adjust the stop loss, leverage, and take profit settings;
- Step 7: Click OPEN TRADE.
Disclaimer: 61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This content is not intended for US users. eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs, only real Crypto assets, Stocks and ETFs are available.
Best Commodities Broker for Intermediate Traders and Investors
-
Invest in 30+ commodities and 3,000+ other assets including stocks and cryptocurrencies.
-
0% commission on buying stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.
-
Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.
-
eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.
Important
There are even more options for investing in commodities, including:
- Commodity ETFs and mutual funds: If you prefer to avoid the risks that fast-paced and margin-dependent derivatives markets present, a practical option is to invest in ETFs that track the commodity giving you diversified exposure to the commodities market as a whole or the commodity you’re interested in;
- Futures contracts: Commodities futures are contracts to buy or sell a specific quantity of a commodity at a specified price on a particular future date. You can trade futures on exchanges and are the most direct method of owning physical commodities. However, they can be highly complex and risky, requiring a much deeper understanding of the market;
- Commodity stocks or ETFs: Buying shares of companies or ETFs in commodity-related industries is another way to invest in commodities. This could mean investing in mining companies for commodities like gold and silver or energy companies for oil and natural gas.
Important
Common mistakes to avoid when investing in commodities
These are the common mistakes that investors should be aware of and hopefully avoid when investing in commodities:
- Lack of research: Every commodity has its unique set of supply and demand dynamics. Before investing in any commodity, it is important to understand its market thoroughly;
- Ignoring the impact of global events: This can include geopolitical conflicts, changes in government policies, global economic trends, and even changes in weather patterns. Ignoring these can lead to miscalculated investment decisions;
- Not diversifying: While commodities diversify a portfolio, it’s also important to diversify within the commodities portfolio itself;
- Chasing trends: Like other investments, it’s usually not a good strategy to invest in a commodity just because its price has been rising rapidly;
- Going overboard with leverage: Leverage amplifies your risk-return ratio, so use it with caution;
- Overexposure: While commodities can be a valuable part of a diversified portfolio, overexposure to commodities can be risky. The thing is—they can be more volatile and less predictable than other types of investments;
- Ignoring the tax implications: It’s essential to understand the specific tax implications in your area.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
FAQs about commodities
How to invest in commodities?
Various options exist for investing in commodities, including commodity ETFs, commodity-related stocks, and CFDs. These financial instruments offer exposure to the commodity’s price fluctuations without requiring physical ownership of the raw material, accommodating various risk appetites and growth prospects.
Where to invest in commodities?
You can invest in commodities through various online broker services, such as eToro.
Are commodities a good investment?
Commodities are a great way to diversify your investment portfolio, protect against inflation, and potentially profit from global economic growth. However, given their track record of low long-term returns and high volatility, investors choosing to venture into commodities may want to consider keeping their allocations relatively small and well-diversified.
Best Commodities Broker for Intermediate Traders and Investors
-
Invest in 30+ commodities and 3,000+ other assets including stocks and cryptocurrencies.
-
0% commission on buying stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.
-
Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.
-
eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.
