Regional Update MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA Abu Dhabi’s state owned ADQ (formerly Abu Dhabi Development Holdings) has purchased a 45 percent stake in Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC). The actual purchase price has not been disclosed. LDC has 18,000 employees and 2019 turnover of $34 billion. ADQ has increased its focus on food security and logistics since the start of COVID-19. Comments in the trade say that this will make LDC into more of an “integrated food business” rather than being “mainly trading focused” Saudi Arabia is moving closer and closer to putting grain imports in private sector hands. According to the Saudi Press Agency “private entities have been assigned the process...
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.
What You Need to Know Today: The corn and soybean markets closed slightly higher in low-volume trade. The wheat market was mixed, with HRW continuing its downward trek on improved moisture. As expected, the bearish cattle on feed report drove down cattle prices and pulled hogs down with it. Mi...
Dry bulk markets were volatile but ultimately steady this week with notable differences in rate developments across vessel classes. The Capesize sector, which led the recent rally in freight rates with its dramatic surge, pulled back slightly amid more cautious chartering activity, partic...
Key Market Insights Macro markets delivered a full whipsaw today. Early in the session, crude oil had rallied back above $100/barrel as traders priced renewed concern over the U.S.-Iran standoff and potential supply risk through the Strait of Hormuz. That strength helped pull grains off their o...