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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livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins eased slightly to $119/head, declining $7/head week over week as a modest softening in the cutout combined with a small increase in live cattle prices compressed margins. Despite the weekly pullback, margins remain sharply improved on a monthly basis (+$233/head), supported...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

 May 26 Corn closed at $4.5575/bushel, down $0.0625 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $6.07/bushel, up $0.02 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.5975/bushel, up $0.005 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $314.9/short ton, down $...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: CBOT Cautious Ahead of Acreage, Stocks Reports

The CBOT took a bit of a breather on Monday as traders waited for the upcoming Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks reports, which the USDA will issue Tuesday at midday. Traders were reluctant to expand risk too much ahead of these two reports, which often change market direction and tone for...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins eased slightly to $119/head, declining $7/head week over week as a modest softening in the cutout combined with a small increase in live cattle prices compressed margins. Despite the weekly pullback, margins remain sharply improved on a monthly basis (+$233/head), supported...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

 May 26 Corn closed at $4.5575/bushel, down $0.0625 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $6.07/bushel, up $0.02 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.5975/bushel, up $0.005 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $314.9/short ton, down $...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: CBOT Cautious Ahead of Acreage, Stocks Reports

The CBOT took a bit of a breather on Monday as traders waited for the upcoming Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks reports, which the USDA will issue Tuesday at midday. Traders were reluctant to expand risk too much ahead of these two reports, which often change market direction and tone for...

Forlorn or Failure; Fertile or Futile; AI Impacts; Dirty Dozen Disinformation

Forlorn or Failure The spin from the WTO on the organization’s recent MC14 meetings was that a lot of decisions were adopted, progress was made, and while the event “ran out of time,” new commitments on outstanding issues can still be made in Geneva. Director-General Ngozi Oko...

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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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