A reader has pointed out that U.S. pork, a victim in the trade war with China, is priced lower than other suppliers, including less than half the value of EU pig meat. U.S. pig meat prices were actually seasonally lower in 2018 than this year. Moreover, U.S. and Canadian pork prices tend to move closer together and with greater volatility than those in Europe or Brazil. Nonetheless, the large dynamic is the relatively larger pork carryover stocks in the U.S., and the fact that they keep growing. U.S. pork prices are waiting a breakout based on prospective sales to China. Canadian pork sales to China have also been stymied for geopolitical reasons but there is no indication that they will be unleashed as a result of Washington’s pendi...
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets remain mixed with Capesize vessels seeing continued pressure from weaker demand while fixtures and rate strength gradually increases towards the smaller vessel classes. Tanker markets are pulling back from their recent highs as tonnage moves out of the Mid...
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...
Key Takeaways: Texas illustrates the assumptions underlying the 2025 FMMO reform; Idaho exposes their limitations. The Southwest order blend (roughly 27 percent Class I, 32 percent Class III and 31 percent Class IV) exposes Texas producers to every lever USDA adjusted, with a near-neutral proj...
From WPI Consulting
Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming
WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.