U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) seeks to normalize relations with Cuba after the Trump Administration distanced itself from the communist, state-led economy. American agricultural groups will be pleased since they see the island as a market for sales even if prospects have been marginal at best. In some ways Cuba is improving its ways. The latest being the elimination of a dubious dual currency policy where the peso has more value on a state-run conversion system with hard currencies and a different value on the black market. However, the larger issue is the disparate approaches in international relations even when countries are very similar in most ways. For example, Cuba, China, and Vietnam are each treated di...
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.
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...