There is speculation that rice prices will increase due a smaller crop in India, the world’s largest exporter, and the impacts of El Niño. That is not currently reflected in futures prices, which have fallen 18 percent from their high at the beginning of the year. India’s rice stocks have declined 8.5 percent from 2022/23 levels, but the government has increased the minimum purchase price and that will incentivize more production. At the same time, global wheat ending stocks are rising, including a 47 percent increase in India’s wheat carryover. Although rice may carry a preference in Asia, wheat demand has been growing much faster than rice demand. It has nutritional advantages over traditional white rice su...
What You Need to Know Today: The September Cattle on Feed report was strongly bullish, with both the 1 September on-feed inventory and August placements coming in well below average expectations and below the bottom of their respective pre-report estimate ranges. China continues to buy U...
Given yesterday’s headlines, today’s market action may not be what many expected. The dollar is little changed, crude oil is pulling back and stocks are trading higher. Crude may be the biggest piece of today’s reversal. Saudi Arabia is offering additional crude to Asian buyer...
From WPI Consulting
Weighing in on strategic realignment
WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.