The U.S. Senate is now scheduled to vote on the nominations for USDA secretary and USTR after returning from the Easter recess. Notably, support for the latter nominee, Robert Lighthizer, is coming from an unexpected source. Trump Nominees The U.S. Senate is now scheduled to vote on the nomination of Sonny Perdue to become the next USDA secretary after returning from the Easter recess (24 April). Additionally, the Senate Finance Committee appears to have reached a bipartisan approach to moving forward after the break on the nomination of Robert Lighthizer as U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Notable, and perhaps concerning for free traders, is the support of Lighthizer coming from Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). In a pique over the Trans-...
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.