World Perspectives
biofuel energy

Lower Fuel Use Reignites RFS Fight

As of last week, according to the Renewable Fuel Association (RFA), 73 of the nation’s 200 ethanol plants are idled and 70 percent are operating at reduced capacity. This would imply that 57 are still operating at normal output levels. Those plants have seen their gross margins bounce on DDGS and distillers corn oil prices, and a drop in corn and natural gas costs.

However, as an industry, the picture is bleak when extrapolating the margins across production levels and comparing to the industry’s sunk capital and fixed costs. 

Demand for motor fuel has hit its lowest levels in decades because of the limits on travel and the general economic slowdown caused by the mitigation efforts for COVID-19. Now that we’re c...

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Market Commentary: Stable Policy, Conditional Demand, Weather Emerging as the Next Risk

Key Market Developments While tariffs were not addressed directly in the State of the Union, trade policy remains steady. Reports during today’s session confirmed that U.S. tariffs on China will remain in the 35 percent–50 percent range, signaling limited escalation ahead of upcomin...

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Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.42/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.6975/bushel, down $0.035 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.65/bushel, up $0.0975 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $321.8/short ton, up $7.4 from...

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Market Commentary: Soybeans Rally on PNW Export Rumors; Grains Ease on Profit Taking

The soy complex was the upside leader again on rumors of Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans from the PNW, as well as some harvest and quality issues in Brazil. Soyoil continued to find support from hopes that the EPA will release its biofuel policy obligations in the coming few days, though no...

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From WPI Consulting

Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming

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