Brazil’s meat processors are expressing angst that their country’s boosted corn exports to China this year will drive up domestic feed costs to what they describe as an “overpriced” level. The number of Chinese bidders for imported corn is large as the Middle Kingdom’s sow herd rebounded 0.6 percent in December and pork production is almost back to the level it was before African Swine Fever damaged the herd. However, it is a more complicated story for Brazil. Looking at the past decade’s change in grain and meat production in Brazil on two different axes (see below) lends the impression that livestock production has grown alongside feed supplies. However, on a CARG basis, soybean production has gr...
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...
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.