World Perspectives
feed-grains biofuel energy

Will There Be a Midwest Energy Glut?

One of the obvious facts about ethanol is that it is abundant in the Midwest Corn Belt. In fact, from the beginning of the ethanol mandate through to 2009, a total of 97 percent of all ethanol production in the U.S. was in the Midwest. Transportation and distribution issues dominated the early years of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which mandates ethanol usage. Part of the mandate was met by imports during that same period. This was especially the case in 2006, when the ethanol mandate was first in place, because imports were cheaper on the U.S. East Coast -- partly due to storage facilities and the need to bring in blend stock fuel and ethanol separately. Imports jumped that year from 136 million gallons in 2005 to 729 million gallo...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Energies Collapse on Ceasefire News but Grains Reclaim Early Losses

Once again, Trump, Iran, and the Middle East were the hub around which the CBOT trade revolved on Wednesday. Late Tuesday, the U.S. agreed to a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran, just days after President Trump threatened to escalate attacks against the Middle Eastern country. In the annou...

Policy Deference; Reasserting Article I; Two-Tailed Dog; EU Imports; WTO Skepticism

Policy Deference The bilateral trade balance is a narrow way to look at the relative relationship between two countries. The government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo is seeking to ignore its own regulations that guide the application of the General Law on Adequate and Sustainable...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

European Market Analysis

Regional News  Egypt is increasingly finding itself caught between Russia and Ukraine, in a battle for supplying its domestic wheat markets. Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, is facing political pressure and wooing from both Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Ze...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Energies Collapse on Ceasefire News but Grains Reclaim Early Losses

Once again, Trump, Iran, and the Middle East were the hub around which the CBOT trade revolved on Wednesday. Late Tuesday, the U.S. agreed to a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran, just days after President Trump threatened to escalate attacks against the Middle Eastern country. In the annou...

Policy Deference; Reasserting Article I; Two-Tailed Dog; EU Imports; WTO Skepticism

Policy Deference The bilateral trade balance is a narrow way to look at the relative relationship between two countries. The government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo is seeking to ignore its own regulations that guide the application of the General Law on Adequate and Sustainable...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

European Market Analysis

Regional News  Egypt is increasingly finding itself caught between Russia and Ukraine, in a battle for supplying its domestic wheat markets. Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, is facing political pressure and wooing from both Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Ze...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Black Sea Regional Analysis

Russian Grain Markets: 30 March - 3 April 2026 Market overview The Russian grains market remained broadly stable during the week, with a slightly firmer undertone. Export values were mostly steady, while the domestic market moved modestly higher. Broader geopolitical tensions had only a limited...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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