Today was all about the WASDE and the lack of an anticipated bearish surprise from USDA sent the CBOT higher by the close. Near-term, it is likely that harvest lows have been forged in the corn and soybean markets. The key story from the WASDE was larger U.S. and world production and supplies for corn and soybeans and, to a lesser extent, wheat. USDA raised U.S. corn planted and harvested area and pegged a near-record yield of 176.3 BPA. Production is forecast at 14.996 billion bushels, just shy of the all-time high. USDA increased the soybean yield but lowered its harvested acreage estimate on drought in the western Corn Belt. Still, soybean production grew 35 Mbu and added 30 Mbu to ending stocks. Notably, USDA increased its forec...
What You Need to Know Today: Crude oil prices extended their rally today, supported by several developments, including escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure and growing concerns about supply disruptions. The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to remove 50 perc...
Key Takeaways: The agricultural trade surplus has become a sizable deficit: the balance swung from a $40.1 billion surplus in 2011 to a $40.7 billion deficit in 2025. Imports kept growing while exports lost momentum: between 2020 and 2025, agricultural imports increased 45 percent, compa...
USDA released its October Cattle on Feed report Friday, showing 11.4 million cattle in feedlots with capacity for 1,000 head or more, slightly below last year. September placements were the lowest for the month since records began in 1996, marking the third consecutive month of placements sett...
Regional News Dry weather across the UK and Europe is becoming increasingly concerning for the 2027 crops as planting intentions are lowered amid dry soil conditions. Delayed sowing or establishment under adverse conditions could leave crops more vulnerable to frost/freeze events and dise...
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.