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...
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.
What You Need to Know Today: Agricultural commodities were mostly lower on the day, with red-hot soyoil a notable exception. Export sales were a bit underwhelming, particularly for corn with export sales down 52 percent week-over-week. The weakness in ag markets tracked crude oil weakness wit...
With the war in Iran affecting fuel and fertilizer prices, higher tariffs, weak commodity prices, ag labor constraints, and other factors, farm bankruptcies are now at a 6-year high, a signal of growing stress. During the month of April, 62 Chapter 12 bankruptcies were filed, which is a 1...
Food Inflation The Open Markets Institute, which is notably funded by several “anonymous” donors and liberal foundations, obtained a guest editorial in the New York Times in which they blame agribusiness concentration for higher grocery prices. This is their schtick and it is politi...