Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA Iran’s government has purchased 6 MMT of local wheat on its way to a total of 11 MMT. The wheat is being bought at a government set price to help control domestic wheat prices and to build wheat safety reserves. According to the latest FAO report, Iran’s wheat production for 2020 will be down slightly to 14 MMT. Normally the government buys as much as 75 percent of the wheat production but due to a low wheat price set by the government the FAO says that farmers may prefer to sell as feed wheat for a higher local price. The government set price for wheat purchase is lower than the market price for feed barley making sales as feed wheat attractive to farmers. Iraq s...
Grains posted strong gains today, putting the bulls firmly in the driver’s seat. There was no shortage of fuel for the move, with three W’s driving the rally: weather, war and worry. Weather: Cooler temperatures are temporarily easing stress across the Northern Plains and Midwest, b...
Key Takeaways: Global and U.S. cotton demand has struggled since the post-COVID-19 pandemic surge, which has left cotton prices drifting lower in the U.S. The war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, along with their impact on global energy markets, could boost cotton demand...
Key Takeaways: Persistent labor shortages are increasing operational challenges and costs across U.S. agriculture, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as specialty crops, dairy, and meat processing. Immigrant workers, including H-2A employees, remain essential to the agricultural work...
From WPI Consulting
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.