The 10 Hottest Commodities of 2011

Photo: Microzoa | The Image Bank | Getty Images Commodities are something many investors can relate to. What's not to like about corn, crude oil, or copper? Some commodities have been on a tear in recent months. In fact, the Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index, a global commodity benchmark tracking 19 commodities that are mostly U.S. traded, is near a two-and-a-half year high. In 2010 the CRB index rose by 17% compared to a 13% gain for the S&P 500. Several individual commodities continue to greatly outperform the broader market year-to-date, affecting equities and indexes particularly exposed to fluctuating commodity prices. CNBC’s analytics team compiled a list of the 10 best-performing commodities in the CRB index so far this year, based on the closing prices on March 29, 2011. Click ahead to learn the hottest commodities of the first quarter of 2011!By Giovanny MoreanoPosted 30 Mar 2011

Photo: Chris Ted | Photodisc | Getty Images % Chg in 2011: 6.8% Closing Price: $671.75 / bushel 52-Week High: $742 52-Week Low: $324.5 Related ETF: CORN, +6%

Photo: Greg Pease | Stone | Getty Images % Chg in 2011: 6.9% Closing Price: $2,648 / metric ton 52-Week High: $2,650 52-Week Low: $1,830 Related ETF: JJU, +6% *Alumiunum as it trades on the London Metals Exchange

Photo: Vincenzo Lombardo | Photographer's Choice RF | Getty Images % Chg in 2011: 8.7% Closing Price: $2.6145 / pound 52-Week High: $2.9665 52-Week Low: $1.3020 Related ETF: JO, +9%

Photo: AP % Chg in 2011: 8.8% Closing Price: $117.9 / pound 52-Week High: $118.1 52-Week Low: $87.2 Related ETF: COW, +6%

Photo: Harold Sund | The Images Bank | Getty Images % Chg in 2011: 15% Closing Price: $104.79 / barrel 52-Week High: $106.95 52-Week Low: $67.15 Related ETN: OLO, +11%

Photo: Tim Sloan | AFP | Getty Images % Chg in 2011: 17% Closing Price: $93.6 / pound 52-Week High: $94.80 52-Week Low: $65.15 Related ETF: GSG, +8%

Photo: iStock Photo % Chg in 2011: 20% Closing Price: $36.987 / ounce 52-Week High: $38.180 52-Week Low: $16.935 Related ETF: SLV, +10%

Photo: AP % Chg in 2011: 20% Closing Price: $3.0415 / gallon 52-Week High: $3.1372 52-Week Low: $1.8483 Related ETF: UHN, +19%

Photo: Getty Images % Chg in 2011: 25% Closing Price: $3.0458 / gallon 52-Week High: $3.0936 52-Week Low: $1.7849 Related ETF: DBE, +15%

Photo: VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm | Digital Vision | Getty Images % Chg in 2011: 35% Closing Price: $194.88 / bushel 52-Week High: $219.70 52-Week Low: $72.96 Related ETF: BAL, +38%

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