Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA Tunisia’s government expects the grain crop this year will be 1.07 MMT of durum wheat, 0.16 MMT of soft wheat, and 0.40 MMT of barley. The overall total is up by 7 percent on last year. The U.S. Grains Council has been working with an Egyptian corn starch company to improve efficiency and profitability. U.S. starch production experts have been consulting in Egypt and analyzed existing production methods and facilities. A USGC study on starch production says that U.S. corn has a 3 to 4 percent higher yield of starch versus corn from other origins. An increased yield of 4 percent could lead to increased profit potential of about $4 million/year on a 1500 MT/day corn proces...
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.
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts slightly while forecasting a slight increase in broiler production. Beef is now projected at 24.802 billion pounds, 75 million pounds less than in September. Cow slaughter is expected to be up; however, this will be offset by lower ste...