The top commodity trading companies come in different shapes and sizes, but typically are the juggernauts that cast an extensive influence on the commodity markets that they trade.

Here’s our take on the identities of the “Top Global Commodity Trading Companies.”

VITOL GROUP

Revenues: $231 billion 

President and CEO: Russel Hardy

Chairperson: Ian Taylor 

Founded: 1966 by Ian Taylor 

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Stock Listing: Private Company  

Number of Employees: 5441

Commodity Trading Focus: Privately-held Vitol is the world’s largest physical oil and gas trader.  According to the firm, crude oil is the most substantial part of its energy portfolio. However, it also does trade other commodities, including sugar, metals, and grains.  The company ships more than 350 million tonnes of crude oil per year and controls 250 supertankers and other vessels to move it around the world. On average it handles more than 7 million barrels a day of oil and products - roughly