Fair Trade Impacts Harvard University researchers Raluca Dragusanu and Nathan Nunn analyzed (NBER Working Paper No. 24260) the impact of fair trade coffee certification, and while the economic effects are notable, the results may be incomplete. They found the income of skilled coffee growers increases sharply (+11.2 percent) when they are certified and that there are economic gains to the broader community. However, income for the intermediaries (transport, storage, sales) tends to decline. Missing from the analysis are the potential impacts on consumers, particularly in terms of product quality since the basis of pricing has been changed. Views on Trade Policy, Feed Grains Perceptions of Trump trade policy in WPI’s most re...
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.