Phase One Status China’s Foreign Ministry yesterday said it remains committed to the Phase One trade deal it reached with the U.S. but warned it will respond to “bullying” from Washington. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) calculates that China has purchased $9 billion worth of U.S. food, agricultural, and seafood products during the first half of 2020 and needs to buy $27 billion more in products during the second half of the "phase one" target year. WPI asked readers’ opinions on the prospects of China fulfilling its obligations and the outcome was split right down the middle (see graph below); 47 percent thought China would buy most or all of what it promised, and 47 percent said it would p...
Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming
WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.
Wool is one of the most misunderstood U.S. agricultural commodities. Fine wool in the 17–21 micron range commands premium prices in luxury apparel, technical outdoor gear, and high-end knitwear, while coarser wool is gaining support as building codes and standards shift toward natural-fib...
There are plenty of major headlines moving across the markets today, but the reaction beneath them remains cautious. Crude oil is holding steady despite reports of progress involving the Strait of Hormuz, corn and soybeans remain tied to changing weather forecasts, and wheat continues to weigh...
Key Takeaways: Sugarcane is the world’s largest crop by total production volume, surpassing major commodities such as corn, wheat, and soybeans, and supplies roughly 80 percent of global sugar production. Sugarcane’s perennial growth cycle allows farmers to harvest multiple crops f...