Narrow Thinking First COVID and now the war in Ukraine have reinvigorated protectionism and thoughts of self-sufficiency. However, economists studying the global agricultural commodity market say it has worked very well at redistributing food from areas of surplus to areas of deficit. Nonetheless, Mexican Agriculture Secretary Victor Villalobos announced during USDA Secretary Vilsack’s visit that his country wants to become more self-sufficient in grains. Secretary Vilsack should have responded then the U.S. will become more self-sufficient in vehicles, electrical equipment, machinery, tequila, avocadoes and other things that Mexico supplies. Food versus Fuel, Again The EU’s so-called Easter Package intended to deal wit...
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 big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
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
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.