This is the second in a three-part series of reports from WPI’s analysts in Ukraine. This article involves their opinion of Ukrainian agriculture in the weeks ahead. Looking Inward Crop Substitution: Russia may not change its crop production focus for the upcoming campaign, but Ukrainian farmers will alter what they plant. They will grow anything that costs them less. Some have already given up on planting sugar beets. There will also be less corn, sunflower, and wheat. The rapeseed planted in the fall is not impacted. In western Ukraine, they are sticking to what they do, planting potatoes and other local crops. Some suggest this is about what can be exported but fundamentally it is about what a farmer with dwindling money can plan...
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.