There was much publicity several weeks ago about Russia being a beneficiary of the U.S. – China trade war due to stronger soybean sales. The two agreed to “deepen trade in soybeans” and Russia vowed to grow more. But Russia cannot even keep up with the pace of its own expanding soybean consumption. Russian wheat prices are reportedly buoyed by stronger domestic consumption but the pace pales in comparison to the increase in production. Wheat production has been expanding at a 5.74 percent annual rate while consumption is growing at an anemic 0.23 percent. The production of corn has also outpaced Russian consumption. This is the reason that wheat and to a much lesser degree corn have become growing export products for Russ...
What You Need to Know Today: After a period of limited activity, USDA reported a sizeable 613 KMT in soybean export sales, including 330 KMT to China and 283 KMT to unknown destinations, potentially also China. The purchases represent a meaningful pickup in demand and bring China closer to ful...
Inflation is back in the driver’s seat, and agriculture is getting pulled in two directions. A stronger dollar is pressuring grains despite fresh Chinese buying, while renewed Middle East attacks lift crude oil. Higher energy prices can support commodities, but they also raise expenses an...
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.