U.S. soybean exports via containers have been exceptionally strong this year, almost all destined to Asia with the key markets being Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, and shippers are citing one particular reason. Record Chinese Soybean Imports in July Reuters reported today that China imported 10.08 MMT of soybeans in July, up 31 percent versus June. That is a also record for any month and exceeds the previous high of 9.59 MMT set in May of this year. One reason for the surge was the government’s reduction of the value-added tax on soybeans from 13 percent to 11 percent on 1 July. This resulted in a delay in the discharge of several shiploads arriving late in June until after that date to take advantage of the lower tax...
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.
What You Need to Know Today: Commodities were mostly lower across the board today after yesterday’s Federal Reserve meeting hinted at a potential interest rate hike later in 2026. The dollar index reached its highest level in over a year, and a strong dollar makes U.S. agricultural expor...
Tomorrow is the Juneteenth federal holiday, and the USDA, along with the rest of the federal government and the CME, will be closed, so the monthly Cattle on Feed report was released a day early. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity on 1 June amounted...