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Rotterdam and Amsterdam as Trading Places? In Search of the Economic-Geographical Nexus between Global Commodity Chains and World Cities

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  • Wouter Jacobs

Abstract

This Windows on the Netherlands addresses the economic geography of commodity trade by providing insights from two Dutch port cities: Rotterdam and Amsterdam. It is argued that commodity traders provide an empirical site for uncovering the missing links between research on world cities on the one hand, and global commodity chains on the other. Commodity trading is compelling as it is linked both with the financial sector (financing and paper trade) and with the production and distribution of commodities (storage and transportation). However, these two activities do not necessarily need to be in geographical proximity. Rotterdam and Amsterdam handle large volumes of commodities flowing through their ports, but the trading desks of the large commodity houses handle the trade transactions. There is a strong presence of the world's largest commodity traders in the Netherlands, which include not only the port-based physical-operational functions but also the trading desks, treasuries and holding companies. The paper concludes with an overview of avenues for further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Wouter Jacobs, 2014. "Rotterdam and Amsterdam as Trading Places? In Search of the Economic-Geographical Nexus between Global Commodity Chains and World Cities," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 105(4), pages 483-491, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:tvecsg:v:105:y:2014:i:4:p:483-491
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/tesg.12107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Tom A. Daamen & Erik Louw, 2016. "The Challenge of the Dutch Port-City Interface," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 107(5), pages 642-651, December.
    3. Sébastien Antoine & Cécile Sillig & Hilda Ghiara, 2017. "Advanced Logistics in Italy: A City Network Analysis," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 108(6), pages 753-767, December.
    4. Bürgi Bonanomi, Elisabeth & Elsig, Manfred & Espa, Ilaria, 2015. "The Commodity Sector and Related Governance Challenges from a Sustainable Development Perspective: The Example of Switzerland Current Research Gaps," Papers 865, World Trade Institute.
    5. Parnreiter Christof, 2017. "Global Cities, globale Wertschöpfungsketten und wirtschaftliche Governance: konzeptionelle Überlegungen und eine Untersuchung der Rolle Mexico Citys," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 61(2), pages 65-79, September.
    6. Christof Parnreiter, 2019. "Global cities and the geographical transfer of value," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(1), pages 81-96, January.

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