The Swiss commodity sector has come under increasing scrutiny in the last few years as a result of the substantial growth experienced by global commodity trade since 2002 and the importance of Switzerland as a leading international commodity trading hub...These developments have put commodity trading squarely on the agenda of Swiss institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)....Against this backdrop, three institutions – the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) and the World Trade Institute (WTI) of the University of Bern, and the Institute for Business Ethics (IWE) of the University of St. Gallen – have jointly taken the initiative to make a detailed assessment of research gaps [of this sector]. This paper aims at identifying main knowledge gaps and providing a basis for further academic research on commodity investment and trading, while informing current policy debates and decision-making processes in Switzerland. [Refers to impacts on livelihoods, tax avoidance, environment, workplace-related human rights violations, security forces & conflict, land appropriation]