World Perspectives

Trump versus Harris Trade Policy; Africa Shines; Trade and the Environment

Trump versus Harris Trade Policy While trade policy analysts assess the future of their vocation under either a Trump or Harris presidency, there is not a lot of uncertainty. Mr. Trump has already advertised his intentions to raise tariffs. He views the U.S. trade deficit as the barometer of how well America is “treated,” and it has only gotten larger. It is all transactional, using the perceived better trade terms of other countries as leverage to extract concessions. The U.S. business community prefers post-WWII conventional trade policy, but trade is a small share of the economy, and they concede on this smaller policy arena in favor of Mr. Trump’s lower tax and regulatory posture.  The Biden-Harris Administratio...

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WPI Grain Transportation Report

Dry bulk markets are firmer this week as China’s recent soybean purchases stoked hopes that cargo demand, and vessel hire rates, will increase heading into 2026. China has purchased about 1 MMT of U.S. soybeans out of their commitment to purchase 12 MMT in December and January.  Cape...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Unmoved and Uncertain

It was the third straight day of flash soybean sales to China. The IGC tightened global soybean balances. The morning’s USDA’s export sales report showed corn and wheat ahead of last year. The September employment report showed substantially larger gains than expected. Stocks opened...

soy-oilseeds

Soybean Crushing Margins Outlook for Q1 2025

CBOT board soybean crush margins have been volatile over the past two months due to rapidly changing political and export outlooks as well as shifting global supply expectations. In mid-October, the January crush margin hit a rally high of 155 cents/bushel before it dropped to a contract low of...

WPI Grain Transportation Report

Dry bulk markets are firmer this week as China’s recent soybean purchases stoked hopes that cargo demand, and vessel hire rates, will increase heading into 2026. China has purchased about 1 MMT of U.S. soybeans out of their commitment to purchase 12 MMT in December and January.  Cape...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Unmoved and Uncertain

It was the third straight day of flash soybean sales to China. The IGC tightened global soybean balances. The morning’s USDA’s export sales report showed corn and wheat ahead of last year. The September employment report showed substantially larger gains than expected. Stocks opened...

soy-oilseeds

Soybean Crushing Margins Outlook for Q1 2025

CBOT board soybean crush margins have been volatile over the past two months due to rapidly changing political and export outlooks as well as shifting global supply expectations. In mid-October, the January crush margin hit a rally high of 155 cents/bushel before it dropped to a contract low of...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.265/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.4075/bushel, down $0.0875 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.225/bushel, down $0.1375 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $314/short ton, down $4...

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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.

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