WPI has written about the declining state of the U.S. soybean crop for several weeks. Our concerns started when crop observers reported that soybean pod counts from central Illinois through much of the western Corn Belt were well below normal and, in some areas, less than half of normal or average. This was before the searing heat and no rain that took over in the past 10 days. The cool summer had masked the lack of moisture across the west until temperatures soared. The hot weather quickly changed the appearance of the corn and soybean crops from looking good to looking stressed. The current hot and dry pattern will continue at least through the Labor Day weekend, according to today's weather forecasts. That will add to the crop stress.L...
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.