Regional News European weather patterns remain widely favorable for crop development, but two exceptions are noted. The first is that Spain and Portugal remain locked in drought with no relief forecast for the next two weeks. Spanish winter crops are in disarray and higher feed grain imports are forecast. Some estimates say 60 percent of arable land has been impacted by the drought, or about 3.5 Mha. The second issue is that the UK is slated for continued rains in the next two weeks that, while not abnormally heavy, could continue to delay spring planting progress. Spring barley planting in Scotland is delayed but the seeding effort is progressing normally in England. Egypt’s GASC secured 35 KMT of sunseed oil at a price...
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
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.