World Perspectives

Schumer Planning a Bill to Force Divestiture in Meat Industry

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is currently seeking co-sponsors for a bill he will introduce as early as Thursday of this week, the Family Grocer and Farmer Relief Act. The plan promises to “break up dominant meatpackers, rein in foreign-controlled corporate giants, and use federal tools to stop unfair pricing that drives up grocery bills for American families,” all for the promised benefit of farmers, ranchers, and consumers. In fact, his bill would almost certainly have the opposite effect. Some particulars: this breakup would force packers to specialize in one type of meat, i.e., beef, pork, or poultry. As of now, most packers spread their business activities across multiple proteins as a hedge against tight or...

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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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