SOTU Tonight Speculation about the content in an upcoming presidential State of the Union (SOTU) address is usually just that – much speculation, but the Trump administration has advertised well in advance that tonight’s address will feature trade, immigration, the economy and the need for infrastructure investments. While lamenting the inequities for the U.S. in the current global trading regime, President Trump is expected to ask for a three-year extension in Trade Promotion Authority. Blocking an extension requires a majority vote by the Congress for a resolution of disapproval. As both chambers are controlled by the president’s own party, such action is unlikely. Separately, after hearing repeated requests by members...
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.
What You Need to Know Today: A third U.S. border crossing (Columbus, New Mexico) has reopened to Mexican cattle imports following nearly two years of restrictions related to New World screwworm. The reopening could gradually improve feeder cattle availability, although more than 60 confi...
Yesterday, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released a new report of negotiated cash purchases of cattle under the mandatory price report. The report included Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. The goal of the report was to solve the confidentiality issues e...
Key Takeaways: U.S. soybean crushing began in 1911 and saw its most rapid expansion during the 1930s amid the broader agricultural and technology revolutions of the time. After peaking in the early 2000s, the soybean crushing industry went through a downturn as poor crush margins forced...