Regional News Weather conditions in Bulgaria turned negative for winter crops last week. After a warmer-than-normal December and first week of January, last week saw significantly colder temperatures amid low soil moisture availability. The combination of dry and cold conditions has kept winter crops dormant and stopped some emergence and early leaf development. The weather remains largely non-threatening for the Black Sea region. Precipitation levels are expected to be near normal over the next 7-14 days, though some soil moisture concerns are lingering. The weather across the wheat-growing regions of Russia has been warmer than normal but no hard freezes have been reported that would significantly damage crop conditions. Ukraine&r...
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...
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.