There have been plenty of concerns voiced over the future of the global trading system post-COVID-19. The Trump Administration receives plenty of ink for suggesting that outsourcing the medical equipment supply chain hurt Washington’s ability to respond to the pandemic. However, it wouldn’t have mattered as much where supplies come from if more had been done to stockpile equipment ahead of time. The same applies to food and agriculture where some countries responded by imposing export restrictions or increasing purchases of commodities like rice. There are plenty of other bad ideas floating around. Former Irish Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche joined others in a letter recommending no imports of “food and ot...
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.
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets remain mixed with Capesize vessels seeing continued pressure from weaker demand while fixtures and rate strength gradually increases towards the smaller vessel classes. Tanker markets are pulling back from their recent highs as tonnage moves out of the Mid...
The Trump import plan for 300,000 MT of beef supplies used for ground beef, i.e., lean trim, from September through November has, according to Secretary Brooke Rollins, brought some relief to beef prices. The Executive Order states that the Secretary of Agriculture will analyze and review the m...
Key Takeaways: Texas illustrates the assumptions underlying the 2025 FMMO reform; Idaho exposes their limitations. The Southwest order blend (roughly 27 percent Class I, 32 percent Class III and 31 percent Class IV) exposes Texas producers to every lever USDA adjusted, with a near-neutral proj...