Market Trends U.S. Ag Exports to China See Best 1st Quarter Since 2014 Courtesy of booming corn, soybean, wheat, sorghum, meat, almond, and pecan shipments, U.S. agricultural exports to China total 15.59 MMT worth $7.73 billion. Those figures represent a 243 percent increase in tonnage and 163 percent jump in value compared to Q1 2020. The Middle Kingdom’s booming economy and a return to a high level of normalcy as the pandemic has been largely controlled have helped the rebound. While most of the retaliatory tariffs remain in place, the central government has granted waivers on grains and oilseeds that once again make many U.S. productive competitive. China’s own production problems in the hog sector and in the grain arena as...
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.
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts slightly while forecasting a slight increase in broiler production. Beef is now projected at 24.802 billion pounds, 75 million pounds less than in September. Cow slaughter is expected to be up; however, this will be offset by lower ste...