EconomyDeflation continues to be a problem with the Producer Price Index declining in November for the 26th month in a row. Consumer inflation was expected to increase 0.5 percent after rising 0.3 percent in October, but instead it rose by just 0.2 percent, a five-month low. Despite economic softness, the price of pork rose 13.7 percent and fresh vegetable prices were up 10 percent. 12112024china_cpi.png 22.35 KBOilseedsThe General Administration of Customs said soybean imports in November totaled 7.15 MMT, a 9 percent drop year-on-year, but a record volume for the year is still expected. The December update of the Chinese Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates (CASDE) reduced expected 2024/25 edible oil imports by 700 KMT to 7.73...
Tuesday’s CPI report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed inflation roaring back stronger than expected in October. That probably locks in another rate hike – which was expected anyway – at the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in December. Consumer pric...
Key Takeaways: The rationale for farm programs has changed significantly from their original intentions. Farmers’ incomes have grown sharply and have surpassed non-farm incomes beginning in the 1970s. Current farm programs are complex and focus on supporting risk management, environmenta...
Key Takeaways: World prices are strong; U.S. grower data doesn’t show it. Australia's benchmark finished the 2025/26 season 61 percent higher, while the value of the 2025 U.S. clip fell 7 percent. The U.S. clip is coarser than the wool behind the headlines. Only about 7 percent was finer...
Key Takeaways: The recent pullback in crude oil and other energy markets has left many in the ag and biofuels communities wondering what it means for ethanol and biodiesel prices and profit margins. WPI’s research indicates a weak but still significant link between ethanol and crud...
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.