Argentina’s wheat exports have averaged 12.9 MMT over the past five years, a significant increase from years past. Drought conditions may make this season’s wheat production disappointing, but Argentina is now shifting its focus toward beef exports. Beef exports have jumped 300 percent since 2016 and now the plan is to increase them another 33 percent over the next three years. That would raise overseas sales to 1.2 MMT, with most of the total going to China. That goal may be a little elusive in the near-term since China claims to have found COVID-19 on beef packaging from Argentina. However, the drought is less of a challenge unless it has impacted grazing areas utilized by the nation’s cattlemen. ...
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.