The Russian grain market was influenced by several very serious factors during the week in review. These included the sharp ruble devaluation, a suspension in purchases of its grains by most exporters and the government's higher, fixed minimal purchase prices. Russian Grain Markets Market Trends: 15-19 December 2014 The Russian grain market was influenced by several very serious factors during the week in review. First, of course, there were the wild fluctuations of the RUB rate, which dropped to 80 rubles per USD a few days before ending the week at about 62 rubles per USD. Another factor was the suspension in grain buying by most exporters because Rosselkhoznadzor stopped issuing the phytosanitary certificates necessary for export and...
What You Need to Know Today: Oil prices surged today following reports of tanker attacks off the coast of Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels and renewed U.S. threats to escalate military strikes against Iran, heightening concerns over potential disruptions to Middle East energy supplies. Brent crud...
Key Takeaways: The latest UN data shows solid progress reducing global hunger and food insecurity. The geography of hunger-affected people has shifted substantially, however, and Africa is now the most affected region. To understand why hunger patterns have shifted and what policy option...
USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report for 1 July will be released tomorrow. Analysts’ pre-report consensus estimates are for the total inventory on feed to be 102.2 percent of last year. Those estimates imply an on-feed inventory of 11.327 million head. If accurate, that would be the...
From WPI Consulting
Weighing in on strategic realignment
WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.