Syria’s wheat production collapsed this year, but it was not due to the nearly decade-long civil war. The FAO cites three causes: 1) drought; 2) high input costs; and 3) economic crisis. Indeed, despite massive destruction and poverty due to the war, Syria 2019 wheat crop was the largest since 2003. Looking at other countries that have undergone civil and economic strife and war, including Argentina, Egypt, Iraq and Ukraine, grain output has barely been impacted. This is because most of the adversity happens in urban areas. There may be harsh outcomes in terms of who controls and distributes the harvest, but neither side of a conflict wants to stop food production. ...
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
From WPI Consulting
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.