Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST COMMENTS The ports of Alexandria and Dekheila on the Mediterranean in Egypt have reopened after being closed for two days due to bad weather. Ships at berth were allowed to continue loading or discharging but no vessels were allowed to enter or leave the ports. Egypt reports that 1.26 million hectares of wheat have been planted which is up to 86 percent of the targeted planting. This year’s planting target is up by about 10 percent over last year and government officials feel that the target can easily be reached. Egypt’s Suez Canal income in 2019 has hit a new record of $5.8 billion up 1.3 percent from 2018. 18,880 vessels used the canal carrying 1.2 billion tons of cargo – a...
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...
Inflation is back in the driver’s seat, and agriculture is getting pulled in two directions. A stronger dollar is pressuring grains despite fresh Chinese buying, while renewed Middle East attacks lift crude oil. Higher energy prices can support commodities, but they also raise expenses an...
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.