The CBOT was mixed on Wednesday with wheat futures dropping amid fund selling due to a stronger U.S. dollar and easing Russian FOB offers while corn drifted lower in lackluster, low-volume trade. While the grains were on the defensive, the soy complex found some support from technically related...
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...
Ocean Freight Comments - 12 April 2024 By Matt Herrington Ample vessel availability and weak cargo demand meant that dry-bulk freight markets struggled again this week with rates softening across the board. Weak coal demand, particularly from China, remains the primary culprit of weaker markets...
From WPI Consulting
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.