Egypt reports that it has purchased approximately 57,000 MT of local wheat in the first 10 days of buying against a target of 4 MMT by 31 July 2016. However, wheat farmers are complaining that the government is refusing to buy some stocks due to one particular issue. Regional Updates MIDDLE EAST/MEDITERRANEAN COMMENTS Algeria reports that its grain imports for the first quarter are down 8.5 percent from last year, mainly in corn and barley, although wheat showed a small increase. Corn imports totaled 906,400 MT (1.15 MMT in 2015) with barley at 182,600 MT (286,100 MT in 2015), soft wheat at 1.6 MMT (1.55 MMT in 2015) and durum wheat at 510,800 MT (509,100 MT in 2015). From a value perspective, the total cost of grain imports dropped 25.7...
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.