The overnight grain and soy futures session was quiet. Prices for soybeans, wheat and corn were a bit weaker with wheat being the softest. Basically, traders did not know what to do. Trade was constrained by widespread concern that the so-called deal between President Trump and President Xi did not include China’s relaxing tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods. This was taken to mean that any resumption of imports of U.S ag products would be limited. There was some highly unofficial internet chatter in China that there would soon be large purchases of soybeans, grain, ethanol and other energy products, but this was largely dismissed. Comments from Chinese officials indicated that China would adhere to the terms of the agreement reached i...
What You Need to Know Today: After a period of limited activity, USDA reported a sizeable 613 KMT in soybean export sales, including 330 KMT to China and 283 KMT to unknown destinations, potentially also China. The purchases represent a meaningful pickup in demand and bring China closer to ful...
Key Takeaways: Consumer spending is a key driver of the U.S. economy, and the latest retail sales data indicate that spending remains robust despite inflation. In September, total retail and food service sales rose more than 6 percent year-over-year, with food service spending up 7 percent and...
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...
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.