Everyone involved in the production, marketing, processing, exporting and consumption of soybean products around the world is waiting for news about the U.S./China trade dispute. The current focus is on this week’s meetings between high level officials of the two countries, which are aimed at resolving the different demands from each to avoid a trade war with tariffs as the weapons. The trade issues are very important to a wide variety of interests in each country, but none are as dependent on the state of U.S./Chinese trade relations as the world soybean business. China accounts for about 32 percent of the world’s annual soybean consumption, while the U.S. represents only 17 percent. Annual Chinese soybean imports account for...
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...
Key Takeaways: Consumer spending is a key driver of the U.S. economy, and the latest retail sales data indicate that spending remains robust despite inflation. In September, total retail and food service sales rose more than 6 percent year-over-year, with food service spending up 7 percent and...
The Trump import plan for 300,000 MT of beef supplies used for ground beef, i.e., lean trim, from September through November has, according to Secretary Brooke Rollins, brought some relief to beef prices. The Executive Order states that the Secretary of Agriculture will analyze and review the m...
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.