World Perspectives

Ag Exports Not the Panacea

According to the FAO agricultural trade index, Africa has experienced the relatively largest jump in the past decade, followed by North and South America. Yet the share of global GDP for both Africa and South America remains low. Despite the boom in agricultural exports where it is now dominating traditional exports out of North America, South American countries have lost ground when it comes to fighting poverty. The share of the population living on $5.50/day has increased in most South American countries, including agricultural powerhouse Brazil. The share of the population at this low threshold unsurprisingly hit 90 percent in Venezuela, but it has also jumped in ag export powerhouse Argentina, rising from 4 percent in 2012 to 36 percent...

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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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