Born and Killed: USDA's proposed revision of the country of origin labeling (COOL) to bring it into compliance with a WTO ruling is not just excessively burdensome, but also seems destined to help meat products originating in other countries. For example, feeder cattle imported from Canada and then fed and slaughtered in the U.S. would carry the relatively benign label, "Product of the U.S. and Canada." However, product from an animal completely from the U.S. would be labeled "Born, Raised, and Slaughtered in the United States." The heartless circle of life construct of "born" and "slaughtered" together on the product is bound to attract sensible urbanites.Imaginary Blame: Politicians are pretty deft at deflecting blame onto others, but m...
What You Need to Know Today: Cattle futures extended their sharp selloff Friday as weakening cash cattle prices, deteriorating feedlot profitability, and reduced packer demand continued to weigh on the market. The inability of futures to sustain a rally following last week's bullish Cattle on...
As predicted, the Federal Reserve held rates steady at the last meeting before the midterm elections, likely in part because of the election (see WPI 19 October and 22 September). The decision comes at the tail end of a midterm election cycle that has been marked by the two parties campaigning...
Key Takeaways: WPI’s new EU rapeseed crushing margin models point to weaker processing returns over the next four months due to higher rapeseed procurement costs and weaker product values. Statistical forecasts call for German crushing margins to decline from €181/MT to €...
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.