USDA reports for the period July 2-8, 2021 Wheat: Net sales of 424,700 metric tons (MT) for 2021/2022 were up 46 percent from the previous week and 44 percent from the prior 4-week average. The destinations were primarily to Japan (71,800 MT), the Philippines (64,100 MT), Mexico (56,000 MT), Nigeria (47,400 MT), and the United Arab Emirates (44,000 MT). Corn: Net sales of 138,800 MT for 2020/2021 were down 20 percent from the previous week, but up 31 percent from the prior 4-week average. The destinations were primarily to China (477,600 MT), Mexico (253,700 MT), Japan (191,500 MT), Guatemala (67,600 MT), and Costa Rica (29,900 MT). Soybeans: Net sales of 21,700 MT for 2020/2021 were down 66 perc...
What You Need to Know Today: Iran has developed an initial draft plan that would prohibit U.S. and Israeli ships from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, increasing concerns over potential disruptions to global energy trade. Although no restrictions have been enacted, the proposal adds anot...
Key Takeaways: Global freight markets are mixed this week with Capesize and Panamax vessel seeing strong performance, primarily on iron ore demand and U.S. Gulf and ECSA grain demand. Handysize and, to a lesser extent, Supramax vessels are trading lower as charterers focus on larger vess...
Wool is one of the most misunderstood U.S. agricultural commodities. Fine wool in the 17–21 micron range commands premium prices in luxury apparel, technical outdoor gear, and high-end knitwear, while coarser wool is gaining support as building codes and standards shift toward natural-fib...
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.