Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA/AFRICA – MEA REGION MEA region grain importers are very concerned over shipments of grain/oilseeds from the Black Sea after press reports that export dry bulk shipment volume from the Black Sea has dropped by about 44 percent in February. Statistics show that about 700 dry bulk vessels are loaded out of Black Sea Russia and Ukraine each month --- not all these vessels are grain vessels. Pakistan’s imports of soybeans are expected to increase by 200,000 MT to 2.6 MMT in 2021/22. All these imports are for crushing, which will supply Pakistan with about 2 MMT of soymeal. This local crushing should cover all soymeal needs and no soymeal imports are forecast. Pakistan is loo...
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.
Key Market Insights The broad market is locked in on this week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, but this is no longer just a trade summit. Increasingly, the meeting is becoming tied directly to Iran, energy security, and the growing global economic fallout from disruptions through the Strai...