World Perspectives

Recent Middle East & Africa Analysis

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 29 May)

WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App   Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here.   Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains and oilseeds see strength on high PCE reading, Crude oil and macros remain topsy-turvy with U.S.-Iran headline risk

What You Need to Know Today:  The U.S. struck Iranian military targets for the second time this week. During a cabinet meeting, President Trump said that the Strait of Hormuz is international waters and will be open to everybody, which appears to be wishful thinking. Control of the Strait...

Transportation Perspectives - 28 May

Dry bulk markets are steady/firmer this week with Capes leading the rally and, on the other end of the vessel size spectrum, strong grain demand supporting Handysize vessels too.  Capesize rates soared again this week on strong Australian miner buying that stemmed from accelerated Chinese...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Trading Headlines, Pricing Risk

Key Market Insights Today was another reminder that this market is trading headlines first, facts second. Early optimism surrounding reports of a possible U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding helped pressure energy risk premium and kept the broader commodity space defensive. An hour later, how...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Black Sea Regional Analysis

Russian Grains Market, 18-22 May 2026 Last week, Russian grain markets remained bullish all over the European part of the country. This times, even the Asian regions saw prices recover to new levels. This rally occurred on the heels of zero export duties and a very strong RUB.  The rally i...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis

Eid Al-Adha will be celebrated in the Muslim world from 27 to 30 May 2026. The actual dates vary by country. Governments, banks and businesses will all be closed during this period.   Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt’s government reports tha...

Transportation Perspectives - 21 May

Dry bulk markets were volatile but ultimately steady this week with notable differences in rate developments across vessel classes.  The Capesize sector, which led the recent rally in freight rates with its dramatic surge, pulled back slightly amid more cautious chartering activity, partic...

soy-oilseeds biofuel energy

Soyoil Prices Continue to Be Bullish Amid High Energy Prices and Favorable Biofuel Policy

Key Takeaways: Soyoil futures have been trading at the highest levels since 2022. Higher crude oil prices have allowed biofuels to be more cost-competitive with fossil fuels. Recent U.S. biofuel policy, including 45Z, has been favorable toward soyoil as a feedstock. California will be limiting...

More on China Trade

As WPI reported, Presidents Trump and Xi held a bilateral summit last week (World Perspectives), the first since 2017, with some uncertainty over the outcome, though Trump commented on some “fantastic” trade deals. Over the weekend, more information was released on those agreements,...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis

Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Iran is said to import about 20 million MT of grains and oilseeds annually through Persian Gulf ports, plus about 5.0 million MT on the Caspian Sea. Maize, soybeans, soymeal, and vegetable oil are all highly dependent on imports &...

Trump-Xi Bilateral Meeting Over

The long-awaited meeting between President Trump and President Xi of China has concluded, and details are elusive, though Trump stated today that he and Xi made some “fantastic” trade deals. Both countries reported the meetings as a success, but that has more to do with positioning...

wheat

WASDE Corn - May 2026

USDA’s initial outlook for 2026/27 corn is that the U.S. remains the largest global exporter. The season-average farm price is projected to increase to $4.40 per bushel, up 25 cents. World corn imports are forecast to rise 1 percent...

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 29 May)

WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App   Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here.   Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains and oilseeds see strength on high PCE reading, Crude oil and macros remain topsy-turvy with U.S.-Iran headline risk

What You Need to Know Today:  The U.S. struck Iranian military targets for the second time this week. During a cabinet meeting, President Trump said that the Strait of Hormuz is international waters and will be open to everybody, which appears to be wishful thinking. Control of the Strait...

Transportation Perspectives - 28 May

Dry bulk markets are steady/firmer this week with Capes leading the rally and, on the other end of the vessel size spectrum, strong grain demand supporting Handysize vessels too.  Capesize rates soared again this week on strong Australian miner buying that stemmed from accelerated Chinese...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Trading Headlines, Pricing Risk

Key Market Insights Today was another reminder that this market is trading headlines first, facts second. Early optimism surrounding reports of a possible U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding helped pressure energy risk premium and kept the broader commodity space defensive. An hour later, how...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Black Sea Regional Analysis

Russian Grains Market, 18-22 May 2026 Last week, Russian grain markets remained bullish all over the European part of the country. This times, even the Asian regions saw prices recover to new levels. This rally occurred on the heels of zero export duties and a very strong RUB.  The rally i...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis

Eid Al-Adha will be celebrated in the Muslim world from 27 to 30 May 2026. The actual dates vary by country. Governments, banks and businesses will all be closed during this period.   Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt’s government reports tha...

Transportation Perspectives - 21 May

Dry bulk markets were volatile but ultimately steady this week with notable differences in rate developments across vessel classes.  The Capesize sector, which led the recent rally in freight rates with its dramatic surge, pulled back slightly amid more cautious chartering activity, partic...

soy-oilseeds biofuel energy

Soyoil Prices Continue to Be Bullish Amid High Energy Prices and Favorable Biofuel Policy

Key Takeaways: Soyoil futures have been trading at the highest levels since 2022. Higher crude oil prices have allowed biofuels to be more cost-competitive with fossil fuels. Recent U.S. biofuel policy, including 45Z, has been favorable toward soyoil as a feedstock. California will be limiting...

More on China Trade

As WPI reported, Presidents Trump and Xi held a bilateral summit last week (World Perspectives), the first since 2017, with some uncertainty over the outcome, though Trump commented on some “fantastic” trade deals. Over the weekend, more information was released on those agreements,...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis

Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Iran is said to import about 20 million MT of grains and oilseeds annually through Persian Gulf ports, plus about 5.0 million MT on the Caspian Sea. Maize, soybeans, soymeal, and vegetable oil are all highly dependent on imports &...

Trump-Xi Bilateral Meeting Over

The long-awaited meeting between President Trump and President Xi of China has concluded, and details are elusive, though Trump stated today that he and Xi made some “fantastic” trade deals. Both countries reported the meetings as a success, but that has more to do with positioning...

wheat

WASDE Corn - May 2026

USDA’s initial outlook for 2026/27 corn is that the U.S. remains the largest global exporter. The season-average farm price is projected to increase to $4.40 per bushel, up 25 cents. World corn imports are forecast to rise 1 percent...

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