China is now squashing an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, a disease with a much higher mortality rate to humans than the coronavirus now dominating the headlines. China’s Ministry of Agriculture has reportedly culled 18,000 chickens due to the high path AI outbreak, which amounts to nothing more than a rounding error in terms of the nation’s total flock. Commodity prices are now plunging as a result of the coronavirus situation, but poultry prices have been falling in China for several months. In part, this is due to the ramp up in production as a substitute protein for pork. But pork imports will remain important in 2020 because for Chinese consumers, it is still the protein of preference. However, protein...
What You Need to Know Today: The corn and soybean markets closed slightly higher in low-volume trade. The wheat market was mixed, with HRW continuing its downward trek on improved moisture. As expected, the bearish cattle on feed report drove down cattle prices and pulled hogs down with it. Mi...
USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...
Let’s return briefly to the fake meat hype cycle, now sitting somewhere in a dusty corner of your mind, not entirely forgotten. What happened to all those products, known as plant-based alternative proteins? They were supposed to be as good as real meat—cheaper, more environmentally...
From WPI Consulting
Weighing in on strategic realignment
WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.