World Perspectives

Killing the Golden Goose II

Big Ag continues to be the focus of attacks by populists who nostalgically, though without substantiation, insist that food from small and local is environmentally and socially superior. It is important to first understand the unique role played by agriculture.  The agriculture sector contributes only 2.34 percent of the employment in the OECD 24 and its share of R&D spending was just 1.24 percent, and yet it contributed a third of the economic productivity growth. Productivity is the core economic function that enables increased consumption with lower levels of work. Imagine what would happen if R&D spending were increased.  While small farms contribute to the sector, it is large enterprises that deliver large value t...

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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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