The American Chamber of Commerce in China complained this week about the government’s slow approval process regarding new biotech crops, which most notably impacts the soybean sector. There is also a potential development that could worsen the situation. Low Pulse and Soybean Prices Drive India’s Farmers to Alternative Crops The government of India conducted a campaign last year to convince farmers there to plant more pulses and oilseeds to alleviate domestic shortages that caused high prices. Farmers responded by sharply boosting pulses production 35 percent to 22 MMT and oilseed production by a third to 34 MMT, which had been the predictable results. In the past six months, the price of pulses has dropped about 40 percent and that of so...
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.