Regional News As noted everywhere, the biggest news in European regional grain markets this week is the end of the Black Sea grain export initiative and Russia’s subsequent aggressive attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. The attacks, combined with insurers declaring the area a “war zone” and pulling coverage have quenched any hopes that Ukraine could use these ports in the near-term to ship agricultural products. Now, Ukraine is faced with two export routes, via the Danube River down to Romania or via rail into western Europe. Even exports through the Danube seem questionable given a Reuters report this morning that grain storage warehouses were hit overnight in the port of Reni on the Danube. Milling...
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...
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.