World Perspectives
energy softs

How Sweet It Isn't

Global sugar consumption has now paced below the population growth rate for three years in a row. After dipping sharply in 2019, per capita consumption continues to be lower than it was in the first part of the last decade. There are many factors involved including substitutes, price, and demand as a feedstock for biofuels. Although Brazil is a major producer of ethanol and is expending its feedstock from sugar to also using corn, its overall production of biofuel is forecast to increase, and livestock increasingly compete for the use of corn. Sugarcane grown at the equator continues to be the most efficient feedstock for ethanol.  The sugar industry points to the decline in sugar consumption concurrent with the increase in obesity to...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.5375/bushel, up $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Wheat closed at $6.1275/bushel, up $0.0675 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.745/bushel, up $0.0875 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soymeal closed at $321.2/short ton, up $0 from...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Rally on Weather, Biofuel Demand Prospects

For much of the period since the U.S.–Iran war started, commodity markets have been buoyed by macroeconomic “risk on” buying fueled by the geopolitical risk and crude oil’s rally. Recently, the impact of this risk and crude oil on the ag markets has faded, leaving crop f...

Farm Bill Amendments

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) has been working with Republican leadership to build momentum for a farm bill floor vote, likely expected the week of 27 April, but that depends on other must-pass legislative priorities.  The House Rules Committee meets...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.5375/bushel, up $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Wheat closed at $6.1275/bushel, up $0.0675 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.745/bushel, up $0.0875 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soymeal closed at $321.2/short ton, up $0 from...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Rally on Weather, Biofuel Demand Prospects

For much of the period since the U.S.–Iran war started, commodity markets have been buoyed by macroeconomic “risk on” buying fueled by the geopolitical risk and crude oil’s rally. Recently, the impact of this risk and crude oil on the ag markets has faded, leaving crop f...

Farm Bill Amendments

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) has been working with Republican leadership to build momentum for a farm bill floor vote, likely expected the week of 27 April, but that depends on other must-pass legislative priorities.  The House Rules Committee meets...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins deteriorated further, falling to -$129/head last week, down $38 from the prior week as a continued seasonal softening in the Choice cutout pressured returns. The cutout declined to $382/cwt, extending its post–Easter pullback, while fed cattle prices held near $248/cwt...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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