Economists are debating the current geopolitical hand that has been dealt, and how best to play it. President Biden has made a major shift toward government directed self-sufficiency in critical minerals, automation, and decarbonation where validity gets hotly debate. At the same time, he has embraced protectionism and unionization, both inflationary concepts. But their choices in Europe are also controversial. The European system of health care and pensions boosted longevity, and the energy efficiency efforts have been world leading. At the same time, compound annual GDP growth in the U.S. has been three times faster. The mix of high taxes, labor unions, high unemployment and energy dependence on Russia have been a drag. Now the Con...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
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.