Tale of Two Stories The U.S.-China bilateral meeting is reportedly back on, assuming President Trump does not interfere again. He doesn’t want to talk to Beijing due to ongoing anger over COVID-19. However, USTR Robert Lighthizer gave China cover this week in discussing the Phase One commodity purchases. He said they have done the best they can considering the circumstances (e.g. COVID-hit economy), and they have made a record amount of agricultural purchases. That is actually quite generous considering two things: 1) Chinese consumer demand for pork and concurrently feed demand means they could be buying more pork and corn than they are; and 2) Beijing will be on the offensive over Washington’s assault on its technology compan...
What You Need to Know Today: China’s state-run COFCO, in statements on Tuesday, implied that U.S. corn exports were currently uneconomical but hinted that the Middle Kingdom would import 3.5 MMT of the feed grain this year, with 1 MMT likely sourced from the U.S. Another drone attack has...
Tanker-tracking data shows a smaller recovery in oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz than previously thought. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking by video to an international energy conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said that oil moving through the strait was back to 80 to 90 percent...
Key Takeaways: While soybean, palm, sunflower, and rapeseed oils dominate global vegetable oil markets, premium oils such as olive, avocado, coconut, and sesame command substantially higher prices due to their distinctive flavors, nutritional characteristics, and specialized culinary uses.. Ol...
From WPI Consulting
Weighing in on strategic realignment
WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.