Maize prices in Kenya have been moving higher as import supplies have become increasingly more difficult to source from neighboring countries. They have reportedly risen by close to 50 percent since January. MIDDLE EAST/MEDITERRANEAN COMMENTS The latest USDA comments regarding the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region point out how expansion of the poultry and livestock sectors has driven up corn and barley usage there by 15 MMT and 7 MMT, respectively, in ten years. The corn sector’s largest growth has occurred in Algeria and Egypt with barley’s taking place in Saudi Arabia and Iran. Interestingly, Saudi Arabia’s imports total more than one-third of the world barley trade. USDA also notes that U.S. corn shipments to the MENA region have...
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...
Monday, 25 May is a U.S. holiday, and both the markets and our office will be closed. Please note that the next issue of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 26 May. The WPI staff wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend...
USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...
From WPI Consulting
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.