Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA Egypt’s Agriculture Ministry says that about 3.63 million acres (3.5 million feddans) will be planted in wheat in 2020 – planting began in mid-November with the harvest starting in April. This forecast by the Ministry is almost the exact level of the last crop. However, Egypt is looking to a larger wheat crop due to better yields with increased usage due to better control on post-harvest losses. Bangladesh is expected to produce about 5.1 MMT of maize for 2020/21, an increase of about 13 percent but, with consumption ranging between 6 and 8 MMT, imports are expected to still be from 1 to 3 MMT. However, the expanding planting of maize could mean that Bangladesh may...
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...
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
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.