First Half 2018 Exports Up; Second Half TBD June export numbers show pork shipments down for the month but up for the first half of the year. There were many pre-tariff shipments with exports setting a new record in April before dropping off in May and June. On 2 April, China increased its tariffs on U.S. pork and variety meats. It is by far the largest customer for the latter, which bring value back to the carcass. The tariffs then rose again on 6 July with the total duty on pork exports to China now at 62 percent. Moreover, domestic production in that country has increased, reducing U.S. market share. A new 10 percent tariff hit U.S. pork shipments to Mexico on 5 June, which dampened exports by 7 percent for that month versus June 2017...
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.