World Perspectives

Influence of Tight Margins

Farm policy and food manufacturer practices are evidence that the agrifood sector is a mature industry existing on tight margins. Farm policy and food manufacturer practices are evidence that the agrifood sector is a mature industry existing on tight margins. Farmers made good money during the recent bear market, but the policies they demanded in the 2014 Farm Bill – insurance that includes "shallow loss" protection – revealed their more typical experience of a thin line between profit and loss. In the same vein, food processors are consistently tweaking their current product lines while promoting the next "super" grain like quinoa or "super" fruit like baobob.Marketers now pushing insects for their oil and protein may have p...

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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.

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