Africa’s Opportunity Africa has been dependent on Russia for cheap wheat and on China for foreign direct investment. Now the U.S. and Europe are stepping up competition for the Continent’s resources and people. President Biden hosts 50 African leaders later this year and some believe the energy shortage will rekindle Europe’s interest in investing in African energy projects. WTO Director General and Nigerian-American Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is encouraging stepped up efforts to expand trade and build supply chains in Africa. With the West, China and Russia all competing for Africa’s attention, it is an opportunity for Africa to play off this competition. Progress on the Continent is slow, but it is progressing. The chall...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
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.