Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA Grain importers in the region were very interested in Russia’s announcement of its new export taxes. From 2 June, wheat will be taxed at $28.10 MT which is $32.59 MT less than the current tax. Barley exports will be taxed at $39.60 MT an increase of $12.14 MT while corn will be at $52.20 – up by $21.85 MT. Taxes are based on a seven-day average index price with the tax revised each week. Iran is reported to be shopping for milling wheat, feed wheat, and corn due to this year’s crops being lower than expected. Feed wheat is being looked at in place of corn for animal feed use due to the current very high corn prices. It has also been mentioned that Iran may al...
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...
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.