USDA reports that per capita flour consumption in 2023 fell to the lowest level in 37 years. Flour production and exports were lower, but so were flour imports. The question is why? It has been noted that consumers in developing countries with rising incomes tend to switch from rice consumption to wheat and products intake. Is there a converse decline in wheat and wheat flour intake with changes in income? According to the FAO, despite modest income per capita, Serbia has the highest per capita intake of wheat and products. Türkiye has relatively high wheat and products per capita intake but there are large subsidies for its processing. Japan has relatively lower wheat intake despite higher income. Looking at the past decade, percent...
Key Market Insights Geopolitical Limbo: Geopolitical risk remained a key driver across global commodity markets today. President Trump stated that the Iran memorandum of understanding is not yet final and warned that military action could resume if negotiations fail. Both sides continue w...
Key Takeaways: Drought remains a major threat to global agricultural production, particularly in regions with limited rainfall and growing water scarcity. Commercially available drought-tolerant traits in corn, soybeans, and wheat have generally delivered modest yield improvements, limiting th...
Key Takeaways: Peace at last in the Persian Gulf? Over the weekend, the U.S. announced and Iranian officials confirmed a peace agreement, with formal ratification set for Geneva on 19 June. The announcement means the Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen fully and toll-free within 30 days.&n...
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.