World Perspectives

Produce Price Inflation Mixed Signals

Producer price inflation (PPI) ended 2024 up 0.2 percent in December. That is a modest gain and was below pre-report expectations. Nonetheless, the PPI was 3.3 higher than a year ago, and substantially higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. That stickiness trend will keep inflation squarely in the radar of the Fed’s focus in 2025. Moreover, as WPI reported on 6 January, the “Trump agenda of tariffs and immigration action which could reduce labor supply, and tax cuts all have the potential to be inflationary.” This is particularly noteworthy as commodity and goods prices were up 0.6 percent in December, and services were flat. 01142025dj.png 34.57 KBThe increase in the PPI in December was led by energy prices, which jumped...

Related Articles
feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.5425/bushel, down $0.035 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.975/bushel, down $0.1875 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.685/bushel, down $0.025 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $318.2/short ton, up $1.8...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Plenty of Information — No Clear Direction

Key Market Developments Macro: Tension Without Direction Markets are trading the tension between escalation and resolution — and neither side has control. Both equities and commodities tested key technical levels this week before reversing sharply on headlines suggesting — at least...

AI Disaster; Fringe Opinions; NTE 40th Update

AI Disaster Opponents of artificial intelligence, like Senator Bernie Sanders (S-Vermont), warn that the technology risks the end of the human race. So-called AI “doomers” are campaigning to stall advancements out of precaution, mostly fearing adverse impacts on the labor force. The...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.5425/bushel, down $0.035 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.975/bushel, down $0.1875 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.685/bushel, down $0.025 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $318.2/short ton, up $1.8...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Plenty of Information — No Clear Direction

Key Market Developments Macro: Tension Without Direction Markets are trading the tension between escalation and resolution — and neither side has control. Both equities and commodities tested key technical levels this week before reversing sharply on headlines suggesting — at least...

AI Disaster; Fringe Opinions; NTE 40th Update

AI Disaster Opponents of artificial intelligence, like Senator Bernie Sanders (S-Vermont), warn that the technology risks the end of the human race. So-called AI “doomers” are campaigning to stall advancements out of precaution, mostly fearing adverse impacts on the labor force. The...

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 1 April)

WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...

Image
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.

Search World Perspectives

Sign In to World Perspectives

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up