Newly released data indicates U.S. agricultural exports to China declined in December 2015 for some products, but there were notable increases for others. Cultural Heritage Annual Spring Festival Arrives The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, begins today. This holiday, which is more than 4,000 years old, is the most important celebration of the Chinese calendar. Most workers will receive a seven-day holiday, while students will be on vacation for most of February. This is also a time when many urban coastal residents travel to home provinces to spend time with family and close friends.The holiday’s timing is connected to China’s lunar calendar, which dates back to the Xia dynasty. The Xia ruled China from 21st century...
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
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.