There is now broad recognition of the economic awakening of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the geopolitical race is on to be its preeminent partner. Each of the three major competitors have attributes that are at once limitations and advantages. USA: The U.S. is late to the game. It has built a positive image in the region due to its decades of development assistance, and the fact that its citizenry includes the SSA’s largest educated diaspora. The recent visit to the region by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was the start of several planned trips there by high level officials. However, there is a coming collision between Washington’s plan and the expectations of locals. The Trump Administration would like to end the nonreciprocal...
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.