There’s been a lot of media coverage of inflation since the April consumer price index (CPI) report. Consumer prices rose 0.8 percent in April, the fastest pace in more than a decade. That’s following 0.6 percent in March, and 0.4 percent in February. Combined, on an annualized rate, those three months are on an inflation growth trend of 7.2 percent - the fastest increase since 2008. It wasn’t all bullish commodity markets that pushed up consumer inflation. Energy prices declined 0.1 percent in April while food prices were up 0.4 percent. Instead, it was all the other sectors rebounding from COVID: used cars and trucks were up 10 percent, the largest gain ever since tracking started in 1953. Much of the gain was also push...
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...
Monday, 25 May is a U.S. holiday, and both the markets and our office will be closed. Please note that the next issue of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 26 May. The WPI staff wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend...
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...
From WPI Consulting
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.