There have recently been promises by Argentine political candidates to remove export taxes on all crops except soybeans. The one certainty is the country will continue to lose market share unless existing agricultural policies are adjusted. Argentina: Politics versus Agricultural Production It is now a few months before Argentina's October 2015 presidential election, and the nation's agricultural sector is anxiously awaiting new policy developments. There is also uncertainty regarding issues such as low global commodity prices, an official Argentine government exchange rate that overvalues the peso against the U.S. dollar, high export taxes, expensive input costs and flooding problems. Such factors may change slightly, but the existence o...
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.
Grains posted strong gains today, putting the bulls firmly in the driver’s seat. There was no shortage of fuel for the move, with three W’s driving the rally: weather, war and worry. Weather: Cooler temperatures are temporarily easing stress across the Northern Plains and Midwest, b...
Key Takeaways: Global and U.S. cotton demand has struggled since the post-COVID-19 pandemic surge, which has left cotton prices drifting lower in the U.S. The war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, along with their impact on global energy markets, could boost cotton demand...
Key Takeaways: Persistent labor shortages are increasing operational challenges and costs across U.S. agriculture, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as specialty crops, dairy, and meat processing. Immigrant workers, including H-2A employees, remain essential to the agricultural work...