Regional News Russia’s recent strikes against Ukraine and poor progress in peace talks between the two countries in Istanbul have added “war risk” premia back into several markets, including wheat. Farmers in Spain and France were protesting, again, agricultural imports from Ukraine and South America under the MERCOSUR free trade agreement (FTA) ahead of the Ukraine FTA and a visit from Brazilian President Lula da Silva. Europe and the UK saw beneficial rains last week that offered widespread relief for the oat crops. Sweden, Germany, and the UK saw above-average rainfall that will help boost production prospects. Additionally, Spain is forecasting a huge oat crop and could be searching for export opportu...
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.
Key Market Insights Geopolitical Limbo: Geopolitical risk remained a key driver across global commodity markets today. President Trump stated that the Iran memorandum of understanding is not yet final and warned that military action could resume if negotiations fail. Both sides continue w...
Key Takeaways: Drought remains a major threat to global agricultural production, particularly in regions with limited rainfall and growing water scarcity. Commercially available drought-tolerant traits in corn, soybeans, and wheat have generally delivered modest yield improvements, limiting th...
Key Takeaways: Peace at last in the Persian Gulf? Over the weekend, the U.S. announced and Iranian officials confirmed a peace agreement, with formal ratification set for Geneva on 19 June. The announcement means the Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen fully and toll-free within 30 days.&n...