Soybeans Market Overview Following the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, expectations for increased soybean demand from China were not met, resulting in a lower-than-anticipated purchase volume. There was still some activity, however, and last week Brazil saw movement for March positions. It is estimated that China still needs to purchase approximately 1.5 MMT to cover all their March requirements. Total March demand from China was reduced from 12 to 11 MMT from U.S. and Brazil due to fewer than expected purchases in the past days. Market dynamics have shifted notably in recent months. Previously observed inverses in Brazilian FOB offers from February and March to April have narrowed due to lack of spot demand. Last week...
From WPI Consulting
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.