World Perspectives

Preparing Japanese Agriculture; UTP Implications; Trade War Perspective

Preparing Japanese Agriculture Japan has long protected its agriculture sector over fears of food security and as a political payoff since there is a structural bias for rural voters. Despite these protections, the small, inefficient agriculture sector has left the country with a self-sufficiency ratio of just 0.3, among the lowest in the G-20. Not only is the current course unsustainable, it is threatened by further trade liberalization and demographic changes that cannot be stopped. Prime Minister Shinzō Abe has been working to improve the sector’s competitiveness and lessen its political power. For example, the pork sector is looking at a checkoff program, whereby farmers would help fund their own research and promotion efforts...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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