Beef prices hit record highs in April 2026, and that is in large part due to robust consumer demand. Despite economic pressures on consumers, there is not much evidence of consumers trading down from beef. Much of that was due to the COVID pandemic when consumers learned new ways to cook and consume beef. That demand came on top of disrupted supply chains and stimulus payments made to individuals increasing per capita spending, which was largely spent on beef. The data show that beef continues to gain on other proteins. We are currently two months or more into the effects of an Iran war that has spiked gasoline prices and something has to give. When the data from the last 60 or so days comes in, it is pos...
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.
World Perspectives, Inc. welcomes Steve Wolf as Director of Commodity Intelligence. Steve brings a broad range of agribusiness, commodity market, and consulting experience to WPI from previous roles at Tyson Foods and Informa Economics (now part of S&P Global). Steve most recently spent thr...
What You Need to Know Today: The USTR says Brazil has committed “unreasonable” acts against global trade rules and is recommending at 25 percent tariff on nearly all Brazilian ag products (unclear whether this includes beef amid President Trump’s effort to lower beef prices)...
Key Takeaways: The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 set a goal of producing 16 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually by 2022, but actual production reached only a small fraction of that target. High production costs, feedstock collection challenges, and technological hurdl...