Regional Updates MIDDLE EAST/MEDITERRANEAN COMMENTS At least 10 shipments of wheat (totaling 170,000 MT) have been delivered to Syria over the past 10 months from Crimea, which has had difficulties exporting that grain since being annexed by Russia and impacted by trade/financial sanctions. Syria has allegedly been paying for part of those stocks with olive oil exports to Crimea. Some industry experts have said that this trade is purposely with Crimea and not Russia to avoid any negative effect on the world’s attitude toward Russian wheat exports. With local production at about 1.4 MMT and a maximum 400,000 MT of consumption, Crimea is said to have 1 MMT of wheat available for export. Lebanon has also been a major destination for th...
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
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.