Trade WarPost the November U.S. election, the focus has been on preparing for an inevitable trade war with the U.S. China has increased government reserve stocks and increased imports from Brazil. Traders worked to get ahead of the new Trump tariffs with Chinese exports in December jumping 10.7 percent. Some argue that China is already winning the industrial trade war. Its exports in 2024 reached nearly $1 trillion. A study by Rabobank says that retaliation by China to President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff plan will cause the price of soybeans to drop $1.50 - $2.00/bushel and will result in 5 million acres fewer soybeans being planted. It assumes China imposes a 25 percent tariff on all imports from grain and oilseeds from the U.S. Chi...
Key Takeaways: World prices are strong; U.S. grower data doesn’t show it. Australia's benchmark finished the 2025/26 season 61 percent higher, while the value of the 2025 U.S. clip fell 7 percent. The U.S. clip is coarser than the wool behind the headlines. Only about 7 percent was finer...
Key Takeaways: The recent pullback in crude oil and other energy markets has left many in the ag and biofuels communities wondering what it means for ethanol and biodiesel prices and profit margins. WPI’s research indicates a weak but still significant link between ethanol and crud...
Key Takeaways: Alabama and Louisiana have requested partial waivers of 2027 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requirements, arguing that rising compliance costs are contributing to higher fuel prices and economic hardship. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry is encouraging neighboring states to join th...
Congress is back in session for the lame-duck period, which is beginning with several contentious issues, including the farm bill, a federal funding deadline, energy legislation, and impeachment proceedings against Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of War. Emblematic of the political uncertainty, the...
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.