Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA/AFRICA – MEA REGION The Arab world is celebrating the end of Ramadan holiday. Businesses, banks, and government offices will be closed. Egypt’s holidays are longer due to Sinai Liberation Day holiday. Egypt says it will spend $1.4 billion buying local wheat in 2023. The amount to be spent is up by 75 percent from 2022 due to high international wheat prices. The government is expected to purchase about 4 MMT of local wheat. Egypt’s total wheat crop for 2023 is forecast to reach 9.5 MMT. Egypt’s credit outlook has been lowered to “negative” by S&P Global rating service. This lower rating will probably make importation by the private secto...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
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.