World Perspectives

Food is First Victim; Energy Confusion

Food is First Victim Food comprises just 6 percent of all U.S. exports, but it is the first to receive retaliation in trade disputes. The latest example is Israel’s war with Hamas, though it is American food brands that are taking it on the chin. KFC has had to close 100 outlets in Malaysia due to a consumer boycott over the war. Boycotts have also hit McDonalds and Starbucks in both Malaysia and Indonesia. Note that these retailers are typically owned and operated as franchises by locals, and Malaysia’s pension fund is a major investor in that country’s KFC. KFC and Pizza Hut sales are down across the Middle East. American exports of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aircraft and machinery parts, technology and energy are muc...

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WPI Crop Progress and Conditions App (Updated 6 April)

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From WPI Consulting

Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming

WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.

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