Imperfect Petroleum Relationship The assertion has been that petroleum is a finite resource whereas agricultural commodity production can always increase to fill shortfalls. Yet petroleum has also been characterized as a bellwether for agriculture. For example, during the 1997-1998 Asian Financial crisis, petroleum prices fell around 60 percent. Asian markets had been a key area of growth for global agricultural trade and corn prices fell 40 percent while wheat went down 27 percent and soybeans fell 17 percent. However, agriculture has not always mimicked petroleum, at least not fully. Between late 1985 and mid-1986, the value of petroleum had dropped 60 percent. The wheat market fell 19 percent during that timeframe, but corn was o...
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.