Russia’s Diesel Export Ban Tightens Global Fuel Markets and Raises Agricultural Costs
Key Takeaways: Russia’s diesel export ban is tightening global fuel supplies and increasing dependence on alternative exporters. Limited refining capacity and logistical constraints make diesel markets especially sensitive to supply disruptions. Diesel supply disruptions are more difficu...
FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 15 July)
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 “...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Syria's new Russian logistics hub at Tartous port is expected to be operational by the end of July. It is expected to handle 250,000 MT of cargo per month, including wheat and other grains. Initial shipments are expected to be Rus...
WASDE Soybeans - July 2026
USDA’s July WASDE outlook for 2026/27 left ending stocks of U.S. soybeans unchanged at 310 million bushels for 2026/27. Prices also are unchanged for 2026/27 - the average U.S. soybean price is forecast at $11.40 per bushel; soybean meal and oil prices are projected at $310 per short ton...
WASDE Wheat - July 2026
USDA’s July WASDE outlook for 2026/27 reduced total U.S. wheat production by 7 million bushels from last month to 1,536 million – which is the lowest U.S. wheat production since 1970/71. The result is that projected 2026/27 ending stocks are 722 million bushels, which is down 22 per...
Why Middle Eastern and North African Wheat Demand Remains a Key Driver of Global Trade
Key Takeaways: The Middle East and North Africa's arid climate and limited water resources have created a structural dependence on imported wheat. Government wheat tenders in major importing countries serve as important benchmarks for global trade, providing insight into exporter competitivene...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Bangladesh is reported to have finalized the purchase of 270,000 MT of wheat, including 220,000 MT of U.S. wheat. The U.S. wheat is priced at $322/MT, with an additional 50,000 MT of wheat at $297.90/MT through an international te...
Transportation Perspectives - 2 July
Key Takeaways Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is increasing steadily, despite a precarious political situation. The increased flow of vessels through the SOH is pressuring tanker rates, though total volumes remain well below pre-war levels. The big issue in the Strait of Hormu...
Ethanol and Biodiesel Margins
What You Need To Know Today: Ethanol margins continue to run well above year-ago and normal seasonal values, but have slipped in recent weeks on weaker DDGS and ethanol pricing. WPI’s models project a steady decrease in returns to ethanol production following the end of the summer...
Trump Suspends Phosphate CVDs
On Monday, the Trump Administration suspended the countervailing duties (CVDs) on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco via Executive Order. The CVDs were imposed in 2021 by the Biden Administration and were subject to a routine five-year sunset review. According to the Agricultural and Foo...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Oman Flour Mills has begun its 2026 purchases of locally produced wheat. The mill runs a government-supported program that it says strengthens the country’s food supply. The program is said to “improve farming practice...
Senate Farm Bill and $11 Billion Supplemental Appropriation Request
On Wednesday, the White House submitted a national security supplemental spending request for $87.6 billion. The majority of the request includes funding for the conflict in the Middle East, but there are agricultural provisions as well. The supplemental funding package includes more than $11 b...
Transportation Perspectives - 25 June
Key Takeaways: Despite little progress in a U.S.-Iran framework for a peace deal or an agreement itself, vessel transits are picking up in the Strait of Hormuz (SOH). On Wednesday morning, Kpler reported 31 verified vessel transits of the SOH in a positive sign of increased activity in t...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt Grain Situation Recap: Egypt’s wheat market is very quiet due to good stocks and low demand. Private sector millers are using local wheat production. Egypt’s maize imports have picked up this week, with shipment...
Naturally Resilient Crops Are Key to Drought Mitigation
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...
Transportation Perspectives - 16 June
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...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt Grain Situation Recap: Wheat stocks in Egypt are at good levels, with only limited import interest. However, there is some concern over the supply of wheat from the Black Sea later in the year due to current weather problem...
New Agreements on Iran War and EU Tariffs, Questions Remain
The U.S. and Iran announced a framework peace deal. Crude oil futures dropped to $83.08, the lowest since early March. The breakthrough comes as President Trump said that if Iran failed to reach a deal, he would order renewed military attacks. An LNG tanker chartered by India’s Petronet c...
Peace Deal in Iran: What Does It Mean for Ags?
Early Sunday evening, President Trump and Iranian officials confirmed the two countries have agreed to a peace deal. The agreement notes the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened (though President Trump cautioned time would be needed “for purposes of mine removal”) and the U.S. bl...
WASDE Wheat - June 2026
USDA’s June outlook for 2026/27 reduced the U.S. average wheat yield by 0.5 bushels per acre to 47.0 bushels and ending stocks are reduced 18 million bushels to 744 million. However, U.S. wheat exports are unchanged at 775 million bushels The result is 2026/27 season-average farm price is...
Transportation Perspectives - 11 June
Vessel supplies in the tanker sector are tightening as vessels are “disappearing” from the position list. There is some indication that the position list on both sides of the Suez is “wanting” right now and many are expecting an uptick in rates. There is an odd lack of t...
U.S. Soybean Exports Become More Diversified as Reliance on China Declines
Key Takeaways: China's rise to become the world's largest soybean importer reshaped global trade flows, but recent trade tensions have reduced its share of U.S. soybean exports. U.S. soybean exports have become increasingly diversified as exporters expanded sales to multiple emerging markets t...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt’s currency has weakened in the past few weeks as higher energy costs related to the US/Iran conflict have pushed import prices up. Imports are paid mainly in US dollars and demand for the dollar has caused the Egyptian...
EU Sovereignty Ruse; Imbalanced Views; USMCA Voices
EU Sovereignty Ruse For years politicians talked like banty roosters about Europe’s soft power leadership, with American leaders hoping that a strong EU would multiply the U.S. power equation. Then Donald Trump ascended to power and called Europe a Potemkin village, infuriating Brussels t...
Transportation Perspectives - 4 June
Key Takeaways: The situation in the Persian Gulf is unchanged with any ceasefire still subject to interruptions from both U.S. and Iranian attacks. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, though somme vessels are still sneaking out after turning off their AIS. The U.S. fired a H...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MENA Region Pakistan has made “major amendments” to its biosafety regulations that it says will “simplify licensing procedures, ease import restrictions and facilitate laboratory research”. Companies will have to appl...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
WASDE Wheat - May 2026
USDA’s initial outlook for 2026/27 U.S. wheat is for a significant reduction in Hard Red Winter wheat: The expectation is for an 18 percent decline in ending stocks and a $1.50-bushel increase in the seasonal average farm price to $6.50 per bushel. Total global wheat production is e...
Policy Roundup
A federal appeals court paused a USITC ruling against President Trump’s use of Section 122 to impose 10-percent global tariffs. A bipartisan group of 80 House members asked USTR to investigate specialty crop imports from Mexico for unfair trade practices. India notified the WT...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Regional News Egypt reiterated plans to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat supplies for the country’s subsidized bread program by 2028, although the target remains ambitious given current production and consumption dynamics. Egypt consumes approximately 21 MMT of wheat annually, with rough...
U.S. to Temporarily Suspend TRQs on Over-Quota Tariffs on Beef
The Trump Administration is planning a suspension of tariff rate quotas (TRQs) on beef from all exporters for 200 days as a means to address high beef prices in the U.S. U.S. cattle and beef prices have increased based on exceptionally strong consumer demand, the smallest U.S. cattle herd in 75...
Policy Potpourri
Tax Policy Teed Up The debate over taxes on billionaires is heating up a larger fight over tax policy for the next U.S. Congress. This is good news because a fight solely over whether the wealthy are evil overlooks many larger issues plaguing the system. The journalist Josh Barro says that ever...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt and Algeria, in addition to Israel, are being monitored by Ukraine as possible destinations for grain taken by Russia from occupied Ukrainian regions. In April, Egypt had said that it would “stop accepting such shipmen...
Ag and Trade Paradigm Shifts
The Middle East is said to be undergoing a transformation as economic priorities transcend security concerns. This is evidenced by diversification away from oil and the UAE’s departure from OPEC. Meanwhile, the Palestine issue has been deprioritized, and Iran has emerged as more destabili...
E15 Plans: House Vote and Addition to Farm Bill Package for Senate
All eyes are shifting to the Senate following the House passage of a farm bill last Thursday. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Arkansas) is targeting the end of May or early June for a bill markup. According to Boozman, the House “going ahead and passing something was re...
GDP at Modest 2 Percent Growth
Real GDP grew at a 2 percent annual rate in the first quarter of 2026, slightly below the consensus expectation of 2.3 percent but above the 0.5 percent growth in Q4 2025. The GDP number matches the average annualized pace of growth since the peak back in late 2007, right before the Financial P...
Transportation Perspectives - 30 April
WPI has officially launched Transportation Perspectives as a standalone weekly report separate from our Ag Perspectives articles and analysis. Current Ag Perspectives subscribers will have gratis access to the report through 16 April 2026. Please email us or subscr...
House Ag Appropriations Bill: Moving to Full Committee This Week
Congress is moving forward with its FY 2027 spending bills, while also still working to address FY 2026 funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which is still in a shutdown. The House Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Subcommittee marked up and passed its FY 2027 bill. The House bill prov...
Russia’s Diesel Export Ban Tightens Global Fuel Markets and Raises Agricultural Costs
Key Takeaways: Russia’s diesel export ban is tightening global fuel supplies and increasing dependence on alternative exporters. Limited refining capacity and logistical constraints make diesel markets especially sensitive to supply disruptions. Diesel supply disruptions are more difficu...
FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 15 July)
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 “...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Syria's new Russian logistics hub at Tartous port is expected to be operational by the end of July. It is expected to handle 250,000 MT of cargo per month, including wheat and other grains. Initial shipments are expected to be Rus...
WASDE Soybeans - July 2026
USDA’s July WASDE outlook for 2026/27 left ending stocks of U.S. soybeans unchanged at 310 million bushels for 2026/27. Prices also are unchanged for 2026/27 - the average U.S. soybean price is forecast at $11.40 per bushel; soybean meal and oil prices are projected at $310 per short ton...
WASDE Wheat - July 2026
USDA’s July WASDE outlook for 2026/27 reduced total U.S. wheat production by 7 million bushels from last month to 1,536 million – which is the lowest U.S. wheat production since 1970/71. The result is that projected 2026/27 ending stocks are 722 million bushels, which is down 22 per...
Why Middle Eastern and North African Wheat Demand Remains a Key Driver of Global Trade
Key Takeaways: The Middle East and North Africa's arid climate and limited water resources have created a structural dependence on imported wheat. Government wheat tenders in major importing countries serve as important benchmarks for global trade, providing insight into exporter competitivene...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Bangladesh is reported to have finalized the purchase of 270,000 MT of wheat, including 220,000 MT of U.S. wheat. The U.S. wheat is priced at $322/MT, with an additional 50,000 MT of wheat at $297.90/MT through an international te...
Transportation Perspectives - 2 July
Key Takeaways Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is increasing steadily, despite a precarious political situation. The increased flow of vessels through the SOH is pressuring tanker rates, though total volumes remain well below pre-war levels. The big issue in the Strait of Hormu...
Ethanol and Biodiesel Margins
What You Need To Know Today: Ethanol margins continue to run well above year-ago and normal seasonal values, but have slipped in recent weeks on weaker DDGS and ethanol pricing. WPI’s models project a steady decrease in returns to ethanol production following the end of the summer...
Trump Suspends Phosphate CVDs
On Monday, the Trump Administration suspended the countervailing duties (CVDs) on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco via Executive Order. The CVDs were imposed in 2021 by the Biden Administration and were subject to a routine five-year sunset review. According to the Agricultural and Foo...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Oman Flour Mills has begun its 2026 purchases of locally produced wheat. The mill runs a government-supported program that it says strengthens the country’s food supply. The program is said to “improve farming practice...
Senate Farm Bill and $11 Billion Supplemental Appropriation Request
On Wednesday, the White House submitted a national security supplemental spending request for $87.6 billion. The majority of the request includes funding for the conflict in the Middle East, but there are agricultural provisions as well. The supplemental funding package includes more than $11 b...
Transportation Perspectives - 25 June
Key Takeaways: Despite little progress in a U.S.-Iran framework for a peace deal or an agreement itself, vessel transits are picking up in the Strait of Hormuz (SOH). On Wednesday morning, Kpler reported 31 verified vessel transits of the SOH in a positive sign of increased activity in t...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt Grain Situation Recap: Egypt’s wheat market is very quiet due to good stocks and low demand. Private sector millers are using local wheat production. Egypt’s maize imports have picked up this week, with shipment...
Naturally Resilient Crops Are Key to Drought Mitigation
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...
Transportation Perspectives - 16 June
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...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt Grain Situation Recap: Wheat stocks in Egypt are at good levels, with only limited import interest. However, there is some concern over the supply of wheat from the Black Sea later in the year due to current weather problem...
New Agreements on Iran War and EU Tariffs, Questions Remain
The U.S. and Iran announced a framework peace deal. Crude oil futures dropped to $83.08, the lowest since early March. The breakthrough comes as President Trump said that if Iran failed to reach a deal, he would order renewed military attacks. An LNG tanker chartered by India’s Petronet c...
Peace Deal in Iran: What Does It Mean for Ags?
Early Sunday evening, President Trump and Iranian officials confirmed the two countries have agreed to a peace deal. The agreement notes the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened (though President Trump cautioned time would be needed “for purposes of mine removal”) and the U.S. bl...
WASDE Wheat - June 2026
USDA’s June outlook for 2026/27 reduced the U.S. average wheat yield by 0.5 bushels per acre to 47.0 bushels and ending stocks are reduced 18 million bushels to 744 million. However, U.S. wheat exports are unchanged at 775 million bushels The result is 2026/27 season-average farm price is...
Transportation Perspectives - 11 June
Vessel supplies in the tanker sector are tightening as vessels are “disappearing” from the position list. There is some indication that the position list on both sides of the Suez is “wanting” right now and many are expecting an uptick in rates. There is an odd lack of t...
U.S. Soybean Exports Become More Diversified as Reliance on China Declines
Key Takeaways: China's rise to become the world's largest soybean importer reshaped global trade flows, but recent trade tensions have reduced its share of U.S. soybean exports. U.S. soybean exports have become increasingly diversified as exporters expanded sales to multiple emerging markets t...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt’s currency has weakened in the past few weeks as higher energy costs related to the US/Iran conflict have pushed import prices up. Imports are paid mainly in US dollars and demand for the dollar has caused the Egyptian...
EU Sovereignty Ruse; Imbalanced Views; USMCA Voices
EU Sovereignty Ruse For years politicians talked like banty roosters about Europe’s soft power leadership, with American leaders hoping that a strong EU would multiply the U.S. power equation. Then Donald Trump ascended to power and called Europe a Potemkin village, infuriating Brussels t...
Transportation Perspectives - 4 June
Key Takeaways: The situation in the Persian Gulf is unchanged with any ceasefire still subject to interruptions from both U.S. and Iranian attacks. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, though somme vessels are still sneaking out after turning off their AIS. The U.S. fired a H...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MENA Region Pakistan has made “major amendments” to its biosafety regulations that it says will “simplify licensing procedures, ease import restrictions and facilitate laboratory research”. Companies will have to appl...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
WASDE Wheat - May 2026
USDA’s initial outlook for 2026/27 U.S. wheat is for a significant reduction in Hard Red Winter wheat: The expectation is for an 18 percent decline in ending stocks and a $1.50-bushel increase in the seasonal average farm price to $6.50 per bushel. Total global wheat production is e...
Policy Roundup
A federal appeals court paused a USITC ruling against President Trump’s use of Section 122 to impose 10-percent global tariffs. A bipartisan group of 80 House members asked USTR to investigate specialty crop imports from Mexico for unfair trade practices. India notified the WT...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Regional News Egypt reiterated plans to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat supplies for the country’s subsidized bread program by 2028, although the target remains ambitious given current production and consumption dynamics. Egypt consumes approximately 21 MMT of wheat annually, with rough...
U.S. to Temporarily Suspend TRQs on Over-Quota Tariffs on Beef
The Trump Administration is planning a suspension of tariff rate quotas (TRQs) on beef from all exporters for 200 days as a means to address high beef prices in the U.S. U.S. cattle and beef prices have increased based on exceptionally strong consumer demand, the smallest U.S. cattle herd in 75...
Policy Potpourri
Tax Policy Teed Up The debate over taxes on billionaires is heating up a larger fight over tax policy for the next U.S. Congress. This is good news because a fight solely over whether the wealthy are evil overlooks many larger issues plaguing the system. The journalist Josh Barro says that ever...
Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis
Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt and Algeria, in addition to Israel, are being monitored by Ukraine as possible destinations for grain taken by Russia from occupied Ukrainian regions. In April, Egypt had said that it would “stop accepting such shipmen...
Ag and Trade Paradigm Shifts
The Middle East is said to be undergoing a transformation as economic priorities transcend security concerns. This is evidenced by diversification away from oil and the UAE’s departure from OPEC. Meanwhile, the Palestine issue has been deprioritized, and Iran has emerged as more destabili...
E15 Plans: House Vote and Addition to Farm Bill Package for Senate
All eyes are shifting to the Senate following the House passage of a farm bill last Thursday. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Arkansas) is targeting the end of May or early June for a bill markup. According to Boozman, the House “going ahead and passing something was re...
GDP at Modest 2 Percent Growth
Real GDP grew at a 2 percent annual rate in the first quarter of 2026, slightly below the consensus expectation of 2.3 percent but above the 0.5 percent growth in Q4 2025. The GDP number matches the average annualized pace of growth since the peak back in late 2007, right before the Financial P...
Transportation Perspectives - 30 April
WPI has officially launched Transportation Perspectives as a standalone weekly report separate from our Ag Perspectives articles and analysis. Current Ag Perspectives subscribers will have gratis access to the report through 16 April 2026. Please email us or subscr...
House Ag Appropriations Bill: Moving to Full Committee This Week
Congress is moving forward with its FY 2027 spending bills, while also still working to address FY 2026 funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which is still in a shutdown. The House Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Subcommittee marked up and passed its FY 2027 bill. The House bill prov...