Pork Problems Bloomberg reports that surplus stocks of pork meat are piling up in Europe and especially in Germany as an outbreak of African Swine Fever has locked suppliers out of important export markets. Pig prices are reportedly down 40 percent since March and carcass values are the lowest since 2016. Moreover, it could be another year before disease management will enable exports to resume. However, the larger threat to the industry may be the rise of the Green Party in Germany. The Greens have the opportunity to win control of the government in elections in 2021 and in the past has been a proponent of policies such as the meat-free veggie days at the country’s canteens. Separately, organized labor and other groups are protesti...
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.