The producers of these are mostly small and of relatively weak financial standing. Their principal wealth is tied up in land, buildings, machinery and stock. Production can be affected by frost, drought, etc., by diseases, pests and contamination. There are constant quality and grade variations and long-term storage can be a problem in certain products. The structure of the base metals industry is quite different.
Producers are relatively few, are usually highly capitalized and often financially very secure.
Aside from the impact of strikes, which in recent years have been rare and short-lived, the production of base metals is relatively stable. And, despite occasional ore grade variations, smelter and refined problems are rare and their impact is usually of a temporary nature. Moreover, base metals are more or less immutable and share this characteristic with gold and silver. Specifications and grades are generally to internationally acceptable and precise minimum standards. They are rarely the subject of dispute for quality reasons.