The idea of espionage over farm crops and food is novel to most consumers. However, the U.S. government has identified the sector as ripe for spying for years, and two recent cases illustrate that point.Industrial espionage of the seed corn variety is making a splash in the media. The New Republic published a story last week by Ted Genoways, "Corn Wars," which is about a 2011-12 investigation into the alleged stealing of proprietary seed corn samples by Chinese nationals in the U.S. and Canada and their attempt to take those seeds to China. It also covers the 2013-14 action taken against them. Genoways is an investigative reporter who has covered the standard salacious food and agricultural controversies, most recently including the whistle...
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.