World Perspectives

Inflation Whiff; Indian Scraps; Capitol Coup

Inflation Whiff Kiev is not just battling a Russian-led insurrection in the Donbas but is also trying to fight food inflation, which hit 11.3 percent in 2021 and 13.3 percent in December alone. Its solution is price controls, limiting the margin earned on trading major food products to 10 percent. Meanwhile, the price of gas used to fertilize, process and transport food has climbed ten-fold over the past year. Price controls are an old tactic that most economists consider counterproductive. Since price is the primary means for regulating supply and demand, artificially suppressing the price increases demand for what otherwise might be a limited supply. The result is increased shortages and likely the creation of a black market where higher...

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USMCA Review Underway

U.S. trade officials have started the formal review process for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), inviting public comment ahead of next year's renegotiation of the pact. Under the process, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will eventually be required to provide reports...

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Market Commentary: Mixed Session and More Ahead

Corn and soybeans traded much the way they did in the overnight session, though wheat posted something of a reversal. There were flash sales of corn to Mexico and Colombia but no new soybeans sales, which was bearish.  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is reportedly rising as a lead po...

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Soybean Crushing Margins Outlook for Q1 2025

With China back in the market for U.S. soybeans and soy product margins diverging from recent patterns, soybean crushing margins are again in a state of uncertainty. Volatility in CBOT board soybean crush margins has lessened over the past month with the soybean futures rally being almost equal...

USMCA Review Underway

U.S. trade officials have started the formal review process for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), inviting public comment ahead of next year's renegotiation of the pact. Under the process, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will eventually be required to provide reports...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Mixed Session and More Ahead

Corn and soybeans traded much the way they did in the overnight session, though wheat posted something of a reversal. There were flash sales of corn to Mexico and Colombia but no new soybeans sales, which was bearish.  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is reportedly rising as a lead po...

soy-oilseeds

Soybean Crushing Margins Outlook for Q1 2025

With China back in the market for U.S. soybeans and soy product margins diverging from recent patterns, soybean crushing margins are again in a state of uncertainty. Volatility in CBOT board soybean crush margins has lessened over the past month with the soybean futures rally being almost equal...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4725/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.4025/bushel, up $0.02 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.195/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $311.2/short ton, down $0.1 fr...

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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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