2024 Food Industry Politico says the Biden Administration will crank up its anti-big business efforts for this election year. A long list of anti-trust investigations are coming to fore, including against Big Ag. Targets include the merger of grocery retailers Kroger and Albertsons and stopping fast food chain Subway from owning competitors. The goal is to blame persistent food inflation on industry greed, but food costs are declining and instead it is wage rates and labor availability that is pressuring food costs higher. At the same time, the industry is making new investments in sustainability. While the industry is trying to deliver what the consumer wants, policymakers are making it more difficult. For example, consumers want to redu...
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enters its mandated six-year review on 1 July. The original intent of the review is outlined in Article 34.7, which obligates members to: Provide recommendations and decide on appropriate actions. Extend the USMCA for another 16 years and meet aga...
Key Market Insights Geopolitical Limbo: Geopolitical risk remained a key driver across global commodity markets today. President Trump stated that the Iran memorandum of understanding is not yet final and warned that military action could resume if negotiations fail. Both sides continue w...
Key Takeaways: Drought remains a major threat to global agricultural production, particularly in regions with limited rainfall and growing water scarcity. Commercially available drought-tolerant traits in corn, soybeans, and wheat have generally delivered modest yield improvements, limiting th...
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.