Economists and central bankers gathering this past weekend at the American Economists Association found reasons to be optimistic. The U.S. economy is slowing but odds of a recession are low. Low interest rates and a solid jobs market offset a slowdown in manufacturing. The IMF predicts global economic growth to increase in 2020 and again in 2021, leg by improvements in many emerging markets. In reaction to the growth, raw material prices have been rising and the dollar is at its lowest level since March, a factor that further boosts commodity consumption. GDP growth is much more volatile than major agricultural commodity ending stocks, but there is nonetheless a correlation. GDP growth spurs consumption. If geopolitical volatility does not...
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...
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.