There are many food insecure countries, According to the Economist’s Global Food Security Index most reside in Africa, but there are others around the world. Measures things like availability, affordability, quality and safety, Jordan scores 47th out of 113 countries ranked. The country must import 95 percent of its needs in staple crops like wheat and barley. Jordan has just struck one of the more unique approaches to the problem. It will plant these two crops in Algeria for shipment back to Jordan. Jordan is one of the smallest economies in the MENA region, but it is considered to be upper middle income. It scores high on the Human Development Index and has invested heavily in education. By wisely using its development assistance f...
Markets are getting into the Halloween spirit, handing out more tricks than treats. There has been some encouraging news, but it hasn’t been enough to slow the broader slide. Now buyers need to show up with something other than another “Charlie Brown” rock for the bag. Somethi...
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets are mixed with Capesize rates seeing solid gains while Panamax values slipped on a growing tonnage list. Supramax and Handysize vessels were stronger, though all sectors remain vulnerable to the seasonal dip in rates through Q4 and into Q1. Falling water l...
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.