Russian Grain Markets: 26–30 January 2026 The Russian grains market remains volatile, with bearish sentiment prevailing on the RUB export trade platform despite higher U.S. dollar–denominated export prices and zero export duties currently in place. With a large crop available, market participants argue the government’s priority should be promoting exports rather than restricting them. Traders broadly view the abolition of export duties as the only viable path to maintaining competitiveness and supporting both farmers and exporters. Exporters continue to face logistical challenges. Ice conditions in the Azov and Black Sea regions have slowed the export pace, while the planned introduction of grain export quotas on 15 Februa...
What You Need to Know Today: Attacks between the U.S. and Iran intensified overnight and the U.S. Central Command reported that the U.S. naval blockade against Iran will begin at 3:00 PM CDT Tuesday. President Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is open to all shipping traffic, except Iran. In an...
Key Takeaways: Aquaculture is becoming increasingly important in meeting global seafood demand, gaining market share as wild-caught fisheries face production limitations. Superior feed conversion efficiency gives aquaculture a competitive advantage over traditional livestock production, with l...
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Syria's new Russian logistics hub at Tartous port is expected to be operational by the end of July. It is expected to handle 250,000 MT of cargo per month, including wheat and other grains. Initial shipments are expected to be Rus...
From WPI Consulting
Illuminating the value of technical research
On behalf of a commodity producer organization, WPI evaluated the outputs from a project that featured a $5 million investment into technical research over multiple years. WPI’s team captured the results of this extensive effort and synthesized them for presentation to the organization’s governing board; among the findings uncovered and presented for the first time was the development of genomic traits proven, via rigorous testing, to provide crop yield advantages of 50 percent or more to U.S. farmers in times of drought. Capturing measurable results from long-term efforts can be challenging. Educating clients on the dynamics of success measurement when quantifiable results are not readily available requires deep client-consultant collaboration and an ability to consider both near- and long-term client aspirations with market/policy dynamics – attributes that WPI brings to every consulting engagement.