World Perspectives

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 11 April)

Transportation and Freight Market Comments - 11 April 2025 By Matt Herrington Dry-Bulk Ocean Freight The trade war(s) and the possible Section 301 penalties against Chinese vessels docking at U.S. ports have kept freight markets exceptionally volatile in recent weeks. This week’s trend was lower as traders adopted the risk-off mentality that characterized broader macroeconomic and commodity markets. For U.S. grain shipments, there is still strong liquidity in the spot market and out to about 45 days forward, but past that rates are highly uncertain. Earlier this week rumors started circulating that the Trump administration might seek to impose reduced fees and penalties on Chinese vessels, but the administration may have limited respo...

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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.

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