Regional News France and Romania are lobbying for stricter alignment of Ukrainian grain terms with EU standards. The move comes as concerns about logistical bottlenecks, customs issues, and environmental regulations mount. The EU-Ukraine trade corridor continues to evolve and there is growing pressure to revise or revoke the tariff-free access Ukraine has to EU markets. Such a move, or similar moves regarding inspections and grading protocols, could impact the volume of ag trade following from Ukraine into Europe. Last week, the EU Parliament approved plans to downgrade the protection status of wolves across the block, because of their growing numbers and increased threat to livestock. Milling Wheat Wheat prices cont...
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.