Brazilian fertilizer companies are being challenged this year by a shortage of trucks amidst rising demand. This has driven up the cost of transporting the goods by about 35 percent and doubled it for some routes. However, this is benefitting one group. Stats Canada’s Surprising August Canola Crop Estimate Statistics Canada today released its August crop forecast, surprising analysts surveyed by Reuters with a canola crop estimate of 17.024 MMT (versus last year’s 17.231) that was below their average of 18.1 MMT. One analyst contacted by the news agency indicated the smaller crop was a result of uneven canola germination this year. That variability has caused problems with pesticide applications, which led to an increase in outbreaks of s...
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
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.