Just as hopes were high for resuming ethanol exports to China under the Phase One deal to be signed this week, China is suspending its national E10 ethanol blending plan which was to be in effect in 2020. While the E10 goal was never realistic – USDA’s FAS post in China estimated mid-way through last year the blend rate in 2019 would be about 2.5 percent - export prospects are now uncertain as China backs off its general aspirational goals on promoting ethanol use. At least for 2020, China’s ethanol policy will remain a patchwork of local and provincial programs. Domestic production is capped by a number of factors in addition to available feedstock, including a lack of funding for continued subsidies to build...
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.
Key Market Insights The broad market is locked in on this week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, but this is no longer just a trade summit. Increasingly, the meeting is becoming tied directly to Iran, energy security, and the growing global economic fallout from disruptions through the Strai...