There is much gnashing of teeth over the persistent burden of the pandemic on the world but the trade sector appears to have overcome it, and its associated logistical burdens. The WTO announced that its forecast for increased merchandise trade in 2021 over 2020 was raised to 10.8 percent, up from the 8 percent it forecast in March. By contrast, the IMF trimmed its forecast for global GDP growth to slightly less than 6 percent. The WTO has trade growth slowing in 2022 to 4.7 percent while the IMF sees GDP returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2022. There is no breakout at this time of global agricultural trade in the WTO data. However, if U.S. trade is any example, exports are up by 24.9 percent in value terms, and imports have risen by 21.3...
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
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.