World Perspectives

Risk of Precaution; Challenging Poor Governance

Risk of Precaution Several European countries stopped vaccinations with AstraZeneca’s product out of an abundance of caution that it was causing blood clots in some recipients. The EU’s medicines regulator now says there is little risk (EMA data shows a 0.0006% rate of blood clots from the vaccine) and that the benefits outweigh the risks. Even the conventional flu vaccine can cause Guillain-Barré Syndrome and even death in a miniscule number of people, but millions of lives are saved. Unexamined is how many more people were infected with COVID-19 or even died due to the hiatus in issuing the prophylactic. Indeed, that is the problem with the precautionary principle in that it focuses solely on risk at the expense of ben...

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Market Commentary: Macro Malaise and Yield Expectations Turn CBOT Lower

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Prop 12 Counterattack; Assault on International Organizations; Japan on Point

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Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.18/bushel, down $0.05 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.22/bushel, down $0.0625 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.315/bushel, down $0.095 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $282.5/short ton, down $1.3 f...

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FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 3 September)

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”...

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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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