World Perspectives

Commodity Trading Earns

Last year, the value of oil, energy, and agricultural commodities all fell. This caused reduced earnings at some large trading firms but, according to McKinsey, overall earnings in the sector rise at an average 1.5 percent per year and reached $104 billion last year. The value was sufficient to entice new players (banks, hedge funds, tech focused operators) into the market. The question for all firms, including from the hotseat of an AI operation, is always the same - where is there arbitrage opportunity? That is a dirty word (opaque, unearned) for those that do not understand how this reduces volatility. However, McKinsey points out that the threat of volatility is increasing due to rising geopolitical risks (Ukraine-Russia, China, Israel...

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FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 2 May)

Transportation and Freight Market Comments - 2 May 2025 By Matt Herrington Dry-Bulk Ocean Freight Dry bulk markets are finding some support from spot and 30-day demand but the Section 301 rules are depressing grain demand past July. Cargo orders from northern Brazil are increasing as South Amer...

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Export Sales

Export Sales and Shipments for April 18-24, 2025. Wheat: Net sales of 72,000 metric tons (MT) for 2024/2025 were down noticeably from the previous week and down 24 percent from the prior 4-week average. Export shipments of 491,700 MT were up 3 percent from the previous week and 9 percent from t...

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Market Commentary: Wheat Remains Weak, Corn and Soybeans Hold Their Own

It was modest volume trading grain and oilseeds today. Again, the lack of any new fundamental news has traders keeping their powder dry. USDA’s May WASDE is likely to boost estimates for corn and soybean exports, but that is still nearly two weeks away.   Instead, today’s...

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 2 May)

Transportation and Freight Market Comments - 2 May 2025 By Matt Herrington Dry-Bulk Ocean Freight Dry bulk markets are finding some support from spot and 30-day demand but the Section 301 rules are depressing grain demand past July. Cargo orders from northern Brazil are increasing as South Amer...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Export Sales

Export Sales and Shipments for April 18-24, 2025. Wheat: Net sales of 72,000 metric tons (MT) for 2024/2025 were down noticeably from the previous week and down 24 percent from the prior 4-week average. Export shipments of 491,700 MT were up 3 percent from the previous week and 9 percent from t...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Wheat Remains Weak, Corn and Soybeans Hold Their Own

It was modest volume trading grain and oilseeds today. Again, the lack of any new fundamental news has traders keeping their powder dry. USDA’s May WASDE is likely to boost estimates for corn and soybean exports, but that is still nearly two weeks away.   Instead, today’s...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 25 Corn closed at $4.7225/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.31/bushel, up $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soybeans closed at $10.5025/bushel, up $0.0575 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $294.3/short ton, down $3.7...

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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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