The current hot, dry conditions affecting Europe are raising concern about the impact on crop conditions. The area of concern includes northwestern France, the Benelux countries over to eastern Europe where it impacts Romania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and western Ukraine. In context, there is often around 15 percent of the EU territory incurring some form of dry conditions since it is a big geographic region, but this year is acutely dry in the east. Jonathan Spinoni of the European Drought Observatory says that climate change is causing Europe to become drier on average in summers. In its May crop estimates report, the Joint Research Center’s Monitoring Agricultural Resources (MARS) indicates the wheat crop overall...
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...
Dry bulk markets were volatile but ultimately steady this week with notable differences in rate developments across vessel classes. The Capesize sector, which led the recent rally in freight rates with its dramatic surge, pulled back slightly amid more cautious chartering activity, partic...
Key Market Insights Macro markets delivered a full whipsaw today. Early in the session, crude oil had rallied back above $100/barrel as traders priced renewed concern over the U.S.-Iran standoff and potential supply risk through the Strait of Hormuz. That strength helped pull grains off their o...
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.