World Perspectives
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An Era up in Smoke

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has proposed that anyone turning 15 years of age or younger in 2024 will be banned forever from purchasing cigarettes. Eash year, the age restriction will be raised by one year. The bill also makes vapes less appealing. The goal is to start the first generation that is not hooked on smoking. A similar effort to ban tobacco products was withdrawn last year in New Zealand.  Even without such Draconian approaches, cigarette consumption has fallen in many parts of the world. In the U.S., the smoking rate has fallen by 72 percent from 41 percent in 1944 to currently 10 percent. In response, the area planted to tobacco in the U.S. has fallen by 80 percent since its peak in 1997. Farmers have switched to pr...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Black Sea Instability and Trade War Influences

There were some jitters this week as Russia and Ukraine stepped up assaults ahead of what may become talks to end the conflict. Alongside concerns about a kinetic war is the uncertainty around the incoming Trump Administration’s aggressions in trade policy.It should be noted that geopolitical u...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report

USDA released the monthly Cattle on Feed report today. Once again, placements surprised to the upside compared to pre-report analysts’ consensus expectations. The total cattle on feed inventory was 11.986 million head, which was slightly above last year’s 11.956 million head. Total feedlot inve...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 24 Corn closed at $4.255/bushel, down $0.0125 from yesterday's close. Mar 25 Wheat closed at $5.6475/bushel, down $0.0475 from yesterday's close. Jan 25 Soybeans closed at $9.835/bushel, up $0.0575 from yesterday's close. Dec 24 Soymeal closed at $289.2/short ton, up $1.5 fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Black Sea Instability and Trade War Influences

There were some jitters this week as Russia and Ukraine stepped up assaults ahead of what may become talks to end the conflict. Alongside concerns about a kinetic war is the uncertainty around the incoming Trump Administration’s aggressions in trade policy.It should be noted that geopolitical u...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report

USDA released the monthly Cattle on Feed report today. Once again, placements surprised to the upside compared to pre-report analysts’ consensus expectations. The total cattle on feed inventory was 11.986 million head, which was slightly above last year’s 11.956 million head. Total feedlot inve...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 24 Corn closed at $4.255/bushel, down $0.0125 from yesterday's close. Mar 25 Wheat closed at $5.6475/bushel, down $0.0475 from yesterday's close. Jan 25 Soybeans closed at $9.835/bushel, up $0.0575 from yesterday's close. Dec 24 Soymeal closed at $289.2/short ton, up $1.5 fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

WPI Quarterly Grain Balance Sheet Forecasts

The latest updates and model runs from WPI’s grain balance sheet and pricing forecasts show that corn and wheat are likely to see stronger-than-expected demand that should create upside potential for cash and futures markets. Conversely, soybeans are expected to see weaker demand (particularly...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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