Siding with the Elephants Newly installed WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala may come from a developing country but she knows her organization’s bills get paid by its rich members. In her opening remarks as the WTO’s leader, she called self-designation to obtain special and differential treatment “divisive” and suggested it should be voluntarily withdrawn like it was by Singapore, South Korea, and Brazil. (Note that the commitment by South Korea and Brazil applied to future WTO commitments). She also sided with the agenda in Washington and Brussels for greater transparency and notification, plus dealing with state-owned enterprises. In short, she was practically silent on the demands by G-90 countries, includi...
What You Need to Know Today: The corn and soybean markets closed slightly higher in low-volume trade. The wheat market was mixed, with HRW continuing its downward trek on improved moisture. As expected, the bearish cattle on feed report drove down cattle prices and pulled hogs down with it. Mi...
Monday, 25 May is a U.S. holiday, and both the markets and our office will be closed. Please note that the next issue of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 26 May. The WPI staff wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend...
USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...
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.