International commodities are those which follow global price movements.

Since the global financial crisis has hit the equities, bond and real estate markets, investors are looking out for alternative investment options which include commodities. Even on the domestic commodity exchanges good volumes are being churned in bullion, energy and base metal contracts like copper.

In last fortnight, the average volume on MCX -- where key commodities traded are bullion, energy and base metals -- have hovered between Rs 22,000 and Rs 26,000 crore. In NCDEX -- a major player in agri portfolio -- volume has been stable between Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,200 crore driven by edible oilseed , guar seed and spices. Most of the active agri commodities are not available for trade on the exchanges limiting any upside in volumes.

Agrees Naveen Mathur of Angel Commodities, saying that they are not seeing a tremendous growth in agri volumes on the exchanges and so their resources in this direction would be limited to what is required for break-even while they enhance their focus towards international commodities. "We are restructuring to utilise the resource pool better and increase our focus in international commodities," he said.