World Perspectives
farm-inputs

War on Energy and Food

While the price of Brent crude is up 12 percent since Friday, fertilizer has increased 33 percent. Fertilizer values are priced to energy but now seem to be outpacing it. Crop nutrients have been hit by a trifecta of higher energy input costs, soaring demand and low supplies. Agricultural commodity futures were limit up again today and Canada’s Nutrien sees a prolonged disruption due to the war. Together, Russia and Belarus produce nearly 33 percent of global potash, Russia is the world’s top exporter of nitrogen, and it exports 12.7 percent of all phosphates. Moscow could short the market further if it so chooses. Because fertilizer represents 15 percent of production costs, U.S. fertilizer use per acre has declined as farmers...

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Political Risk to Agribusiness

The Biden Administration and others have already shown their animosity toward Big Ag. Heading into 2024 the hate may grow larger. The President’s reelection campaign, and that of the Democratic Party, is threatened by voter dissatisfaction with the economy. Specifically, they are upset ab...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Fewer Bears Ahead of WASDE

Confidence in short positions was slightly challenged today as traders positioned ahead of tomorrow’s USDA December WASDE. January soybeans jumped back 16.25 cents today, though not enough to offset a string of earlier double-digit losses. Thus far this week, January soybeans are down 13...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 24 Corn closed at $4.88/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Mar 24 Wheat closed at $6.4225/bushel, up $0.0875 from yesterday's close.  Jan 24 Soybeans closed at $13.1175/bushel, up $0.1625 from yesterday's close.  Jan 24 Soymeal closed at $406.8/short ton, down $1.7 f...

Political Risk to Agribusiness

The Biden Administration and others have already shown their animosity toward Big Ag. Heading into 2024 the hate may grow larger. The President’s reelection campaign, and that of the Democratic Party, is threatened by voter dissatisfaction with the economy. Specifically, they are upset ab...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Fewer Bears Ahead of WASDE

Confidence in short positions was slightly challenged today as traders positioned ahead of tomorrow’s USDA December WASDE. January soybeans jumped back 16.25 cents today, though not enough to offset a string of earlier double-digit losses. Thus far this week, January soybeans are down 13...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 24 Corn closed at $4.88/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Mar 24 Wheat closed at $6.4225/bushel, up $0.0875 from yesterday's close.  Jan 24 Soybeans closed at $13.1175/bushel, up $0.1625 from yesterday's close.  Jan 24 Soymeal closed at $406.8/short ton, down $1.7 f...

feed-grains wheat soy-oilseeds

Export Sales

Export Sales and Shipments for November 24-30, 2023. Wheat:  Net sales of 356,400 metric tons (MT) for 2023/2024 were down 43 percent from the previous week, but up 8 percent from the prior 4-week average. Export shipments of 198,900 MT were down 42 percent from the previous week and 27 pe...

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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.

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