World Perspectives

WPI Grain Transportation Report

Dry-bulk markets were mixed this past week with paper values rising as the Chinese holiday ended, but physical values seeing little of the same enthusiasm.  Capesize freight rates were volatile last week after China’s port-fee announcement on 9 October. The fees, as expected, forced some U.S.-interest vessels to switch discharge ports to non-China destinations while others simply accelerated journeys to arrive before the 14 October effective date. The announcements created initial weakness in rates, but that was short-lived with miners booking vessels to have certainty in shipments. Pacific markets are still wobbly with an uncertain direction while the Atlantic markets are steady, though with a weaker undertone as vessel availabi...

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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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