World Perspectives
softs

How Sweet it Isn't

  Two major U.S. sugar processors, U.S. Sugar and Imperial Sugar planned a merger, but the Justice Department is saying no. It warns that the duopoly would result in higher sugar prices in the Southeast. But higher sugar prices are the point of U.S. sugar policy. The government sets a floor price, not a ceiling, and then limits imports to keep the price artificially high. Given that the government also espouses the goal of limiting added sugar consumption to 10 percent of calories and Americans consume roughly 60 percent more than they should, higher prices would be an approach toward achieving a nutritional quality goal. At least if there is price elasticity in the consumption of sugar. U.S. per capita sugar consumption decline...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.23/bushel, up $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2825/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.41/bushel, down $0.135 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $283.8/short ton, down $5.2 fr...

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From WPI Consulting

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.

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