World Perspectives

What Could Go Wrong?

The unclassified portion of the U.S. National Intelligence Council’s latest “Global Trends” report is pollyannish next to what wargamers are theorizing. The report categorizes risks into four categories: demographics, the environment, economics, and technology. On agriculture, it cites the sector for both contributing to global warming and being vulnerable to it, especially in terms of water. As if Donald Trump were still president, it predicts more “activist” trade policy and fragmentation over the next 20 years. Perhaps to the chagrin of Luddite activists, it says that biotechnology will contribute up to 20 percent of economic activity by 2040, addressing disease, hunger, and energy needs.  Yet the most...

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Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.17/bushel, down $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.15/bushel, down $0.0525 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.2525/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $285.8/short ton, down $3.2...

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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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