As the world's two largest soybean-producing nations, the U.S. and Brazil compete aggressively to supply the world's demand. Both countries have excellent farmland and farmers as well as access to the world's best technologies. However, Brazil may have a few other advantages. Poor Week for U.S. Soy Export Sales Today's USDA export sales report confirmed that last week was poor for U.S. soy export sales, at least for the current marketing year. It indicated net soybean export sales declined by 447,300 MT, mostly as a result of a 500,000 MT reduction in sales to China that included cancellation of 200,000 MT for 2014/15 and a shift of 300,000 MT to 2015/16. These changes plus decreases for unknown destinations (43,300 MT) and Panama (6,000...
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
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.