World Perspectives
soy-oilseeds

Price of Health

The FAO reported earlier this year that the Global Vegetable Oil price index is at its second lowest level in eleven years. The vegetable oil index has sunk lower than the agency’s counterpart, the Cereal Price Index. The good market supply in relatively inexpensive palm oil helped pull down the index. These low prices are despite the policy inflated demand for vegetable oil as biofuel.  The surge in the production of palm and palm kernel oil, predominantly in Southeast Asia but not exclusively, has improved the diets of millions of poor people that otherwise lack basic calories. However, over half the content of palm oil is the less healthy saturated fat. Soybeans and their derivatives get much of the market attention but there...

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feed-grains

Not an Orphan Crop

Sorghum marketers often characterize their commodity as an ancient grain that is drought tolerant. They deflect comments that it is an orphan crop, grown locally for local consumption. They may agree it is under-utilized. In fact, a slightly higher share (16%) of world sorghum production is exp...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Mercosur Regional Analysis

Wheat High temperatures in recent days have slightly accelerated crop maturity and the harvest in Argentina. Weekly harvest progress reached 12 percent, with 30 percent of the area harvested. Yields show significant variability. In some cases, yields are improving as harvesters move into t...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

European Market Analysis

Regional News Eastern Ukraine and southern Russia remain unseasonably warm and dry, though the regions received beneficial rains at the end of last week. The Balkans saw unusually heavy rainfall from the same storm system. Polish protesters are planning on blocking the border with Ukr...

feed-grains

Not an Orphan Crop

Sorghum marketers often characterize their commodity as an ancient grain that is drought tolerant. They deflect comments that it is an orphan crop, grown locally for local consumption. They may agree it is under-utilized. In fact, a slightly higher share (16%) of world sorghum production is exp...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Mercosur Regional Analysis

Wheat High temperatures in recent days have slightly accelerated crop maturity and the harvest in Argentina. Weekly harvest progress reached 12 percent, with 30 percent of the area harvested. Yields show significant variability. In some cases, yields are improving as harvesters move into t...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

European Market Analysis

Regional News Eastern Ukraine and southern Russia remain unseasonably warm and dry, though the regions received beneficial rains at the end of last week. The Balkans saw unusually heavy rainfall from the same storm system. Polish protesters are planning on blocking the border with Ukr...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

Once again, the major finding of Friday’s CFTC report is that funds still remain solidly bullish corn and added another 7 percent to their long position in that market. That was particularly impressive as the week ending 19 November (the reporting deadline for the CFTC report) included days wit...

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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.

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