Soybeans Market Overview The market was basically at a standstill last week as traders awaited the outcome of the Trump-Xi meeting. No one expected big changes, and there was uncertainty about what could happen, including the reaction of CBOT and Dalian futures markets. Despite U.S. authorities indicating “very positive” results, there was no concrete decision aside from the postponement of a 15 percent tariff increase on $265 billion of U.S.-imported Chinese goods. Therefore, this rate hike should be slated for 31 March if there is no formal agreement before then. Now the market is waiting to see if China will start buying U.S. soybeans again, a step that would signal the practical end of the trade war. There were rumors tod...
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
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.