Dry Weather Also a Problem in Brazil and Argentina The U.S. soybean crop would appear to be shrinking every day that the hot, dry weather continues across the Midwest. However, the U.S. is not the only place where dry weather is a problem. Both Argentina and Brazil are now in the midst of droughts that may threaten their 2014 soybean crops.It is planting time for soybeans in the Cerrados Region of Brazil, but it is so dry that farmers are not yet able to prepare their fields and plant. The driest areas are in the states of Mato Grosso and Goias, but it is also dry in parts of Mato Grosso do Sul. Current forecasts suggest that it may be another three weeks or so before enough rainfall is received to begin soybean plantings. A year ago,...
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 €...
Key Takeaways: The tariff burden rose sharply in 2025 and 2026: the effective rate on imports in HTS Chapters 1–24 increased from 1.53 percent in 2024 to 6.11 percent in 2025, before averaging 5.68 percent in January–August 2026. Headline rates tell only part of the story: exemptio...
From WPI Consulting
Weighing in on strategic realignment
WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.