Grain and soy futures markets have been rather boring affairs for two years or more. To be sure, there have been a few short-term bursts of activity and price movement, but they have not lasted long. Years of big U.S. and world crops, growing stocks and expanded export competition have dampened market movements. The return of noncommercial interest in these markets in late 2018 has not only done little to spark volatility but has, arguably, worked against it. A year of trade disputes, big and small, has skewed supply and demand fundamentals in ways that have discouraged commercial market participation. Although perhaps overly optimistic, we have come to think that change is in the offing with markets springing to life again. There are seem...
What You Need to Know Today: After a period of limited activity, USDA reported a sizeable 613 KMT in soybean export sales, including 330 KMT to China and 283 KMT to unknown destinations, potentially also China. The purchases represent a meaningful pickup in demand and bring China closer to ful...
Key Takeaways: Consumer spending is a key driver of the U.S. economy, and the latest retail sales data indicate that spending remains robust despite inflation. In September, total retail and food service sales rose more than 6 percent year-over-year, with food service spending up 7 percent and...
The Trump import plan for 300,000 MT of beef supplies used for ground beef, i.e., lean trim, from September through November has, according to Secretary Brooke Rollins, brought some relief to beef prices. The Executive Order states that the Secretary of Agriculture will analyze and review the m...
From WPI Consulting
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.