World Perspectives
soy-oilseeds wheat

Common Thread: Supply, Demand and Other Myths

In a letter to the editors of the Wall Street Journal appearing in today's edition, Professor Ronald L. McKinnon of Stanford University writes about the "currency wars," in which governments can manipulate the external value of their currencies by their choices in setting domestic monetary policies. In his view, the U.S. Federal Reserve has been the "leading manipulator" of the world dollar standard by setting interest rates at such low levels that "hot money" flooded to other countries — especially emerging markets — in search of better returns. According to Professor McKinnon, this happened in late 2002 when the Fed cut the federal funds rate to just 1 percent, sending U.S. dollars off to countries such as China and Brazil. The U.S. dol...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Black Sea Regional Analysis

Russian Grain Markets: 5–9 January 2026 The first week of January is typically quiet for trading and logistics as Russia observes Orthodox Christmas. Activity remained subdued, although the ongoing Russo–Ukrainian war continued to shape market sentiment. Both sides carried out airst...

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 14 January)

WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Bears in Control Again; Trump-Iran-China Triangle Sinks Soybeans

Bears were once again in control of the CBOT on Tuesday as the effects of the January WASDE continue to ripple through markets. Tuesday’s trade also saw the bearish effects of rising U.S. political tensions after President Trump announced the implementation of a 25 percent tariff on any c...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Black Sea Regional Analysis

Russian Grain Markets: 5–9 January 2026 The first week of January is typically quiet for trading and logistics as Russia observes Orthodox Christmas. Activity remained subdued, although the ongoing Russo–Ukrainian war continued to shape market sentiment. Both sides carried out airst...

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 14 January)

WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Bears in Control Again; Trump-Iran-China Triangle Sinks Soybeans

Bears were once again in control of the CBOT on Tuesday as the effects of the January WASDE continue to ripple through markets. Tuesday’s trade also saw the bearish effects of rising U.S. political tensions after President Trump announced the implementation of a 25 percent tariff on any c...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.1975/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.105/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.3875/bushel, down $0.1025 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $291.6/short ton, down...

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From WPI Consulting

Illuminating the value of technical research

On behalf of a commodity producer organization, WPI evaluated the outputs from a project that featured a $5 million investment into technical research over multiple years. WPI’s team captured the results of this extensive effort and synthesized them for presentation to the organization’s governing board; among the findings uncovered and presented for the first time was the development of genomic traits proven, via rigorous testing, to provide crop yield advantages of 50 percent or more to U.S. farmers in times of drought. Capturing measurable results from long-term efforts can be challenging. Educating clients on the dynamics of success measurement when quantifiable results are not readily available requires deep client-consultant collaboration and an ability to consider both near- and long-term client aspirations with market/policy dynamics – attributes that WPI brings to every consulting engagement.

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