Commodities are divided up into different types to make for ease in price comparing. Convenience is another reason as well as allowing for easier research. If you are unsure of which one is right for you, here is some information that can help.
The most popular is Energies which involves products that heat and power businesses and homes. Petroleum, crude oil, propane and natural gas are all part of this category. The second more popular is Grains. All grains are included here: rice, soybean, oat and wheat.
Softs are next on the list and include things such as coffee, sugar, cotton and orange juice. Orange juice, eighty percent, is typically traded as frozen and so just the orange is not. Meat is next on the list and always popular. In this group is live cattle, lean hogs and pork bellies. Generally these are exchanged on the Kansas City Board of Trade. In this group grain in included since it is fed to the cattle. Now you know the basics and can better make your choices.