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...
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What Matters Today... Fed holds rates steady as inflation uncertainty tied to the Iran conflict pressures equities and supports broader commodity risk premia Biofuel demand accelerating globally, with U.S. imports of used cooking oil and strong soyoil demand reinforcing upside across the soy c...
Russian Grain Markets: 20-24 April 2026 During the week in review, the Russian grains market remained volatile with a broadly bullish undertone. However, it remains too early to determine whether this shift is being driven by geopolitical factors or short-term positioning. The market continues...
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.