World Perspectives
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Yams versus Sweet Potatoes

Yams and sweet potatoes are easily confused and yet they are very different crops, including in global trade. Yams are starchier are more like potatoes, whereas sweet potatoes are sweet. Roughly the same volume of yams and sweet potatoes are produced by the world’s largest producers. Yet yams are mostly produced in Africa and consumed locally, whereas sweet potatoes also have roots in Asia and North America. 

Moreover, sweet potatoes have been a growing export business. The U.S. is the largest exporter, while China and Vietnam now compete against each other for the number two slot. Their exports have been more variable with Vietnam joining the fray more recently and pulling ahead of China in the most recently available data.&n...

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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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