World Perspectives

WPI Grain Transportation Report

Dry bulk freight markets continued to strengthen this week, this time with the Supramax and Panamax sectors in the lead. Improved grain demand off the U.S. East Coast  and supported values, alongside stronger interest in coal from South America. Baltic coal demand was also said to be “soaking up tonnage” this week. Tightness in ballaster inventories was the final factor that helped push rates higher.  The Capesize sector saw rates firm as well, with miners and operators both looking for mid-September dates. Volumes in the Pacific are holding up better than expected with spot tonnage from the Far East tightening noticeably. Ballasting tonnage is weighted toward the end of September/early October with only a handful stil...

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U.S. and Canadian Livestock Inventories

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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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