MIDDLE EAST/MEDITERRANEAN COMMENTS Egypt and Turkey are the two largest importers of Russian wheat. However, if Russia is to double grain exports within three years as projected by the deputy agriculture minister (DAM), it will need to broaden its market penetration. The DAM has indicted the monthly volume must expand from a maximum 5 MMT to 7.5 MMT. To help reach that level, Russia is looking at other wheat markets in North Africa as well as Asia. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved another $2 billion of funding under its $12 billion three-year program. Both the IMF and the international financial community are reportedly impressed by the success that Egypt has had with its financial reform programs, and comments at a rece...
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.
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...
We have described the long-term investment climate in crop and livestock production, using data primarily from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The data provided background on the current investment climate and outlook for agricultural capital formation. Our conclusion was that investment...