World Perspectives

Buying Food; Ethanol and Emissions; Food System and China Buys

Buying Food USDA is forecasting that grocery prices will rise by 3 percent this year, the largest increase since 2011 and mostly due to animal proteins. That is more than three times the overall inflation rate. Five economists from four different universities analyzed household spending in response to this year’s COVID-related fiscal infusion of cash (2020 CARES Act) and found less was spent on durable goods and more on food than during similar stimulus efforts in 2001 and 2008. However, the authors attribute the change in spending to shelter-in-place orders and supply disruptions.  Ethanol and Emissions There is angst in Europe because average automobile CO2 emissions are rising at a time when regulations say they should be d...

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Market Commentary: Mixed But Steady with an Outside Surprise

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Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins weakened further last week, with estimated net losses widening to -$247/head, extending the deterioration seen through late January. Boxed beef values were firmer last week, but gains failed to offset increases in fed cattle prices, resulting in additional margin compression...

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We now have nearly a year of data to work with on the impact of the Trump Administration’s tariffs.  When they were first announced, there was quite a bit of conjecture and some sophisticated economic analysis about how trade flows would be impacted. This brief analysis will focus br...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.275/bushel, down $0.0125 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.3725/bushel, up $0.09 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.24/bushel, up $0.015 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $303/short ton, up $2.2 from ye...

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From WPI Consulting

Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming

WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.

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