Did you know that India, the world's second-largest producer of rice, is considering easing export restrictions on non-basmati rice? This decision, expected to be finalized this week, comes as India grapples with record-high rice stocks and international pressure to ensure global food security.

We tested the predictiveness of Helios’ climate risk signals against Corn prices to identify exactly how effective is our platform at predicting the price of soft commodities. The results? Our risk signal becomes predictive above the 25% weighted risk threshold. For almost all trades above this threshold, the risk signal is a leading indicator of price increases and a trader would make money.

Is the era of delicious, bubbly, dry French champagne coming to an end after all these centuries? So many food items we’ve taken for granted for decades are at risk - and sadly our favorite celebration drink may be among them. The Champagne region in France, known for its unique climate that gives its sparkling wine its distinctive taste, is facing unprecedented challenges due to rising temperatures and unpredictable weather.

As global citizens, we think and worry about climate change all the time. We worry about how rising sea levels will flood our cities, how hotter summers will make outdoor activities impossible, and, most importantly, how a changing climate dramatically affects agriculture. The link between these agricultural disruptions and rising food prices is clear and direct.

Traditionally, food prices have been impacted by climate events only after the disaster occurred. Now, it isn't just the actual occurrence of these disasters but the mere anticipation of such events that can cause food prices to soar.

Brazilians have long joked that their country is blessed: free from the hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters that torment the U.S. and other Latin American countries. However, the narrative of safety is rapidly changing as extreme weather events become more common.

This is a post directed at you, the retail buyer of fruits and veggies. You know why? Because you are probably a terrible customer. Last week, Helios got to spend time with an awesome group of AG start-ups as part of the International Fresh Produce Association’s cohort of Ag Innovators. And yet, what was most surprising and heartbreaking about the whole trip was the sheer amount of waste we saw everywhere.

From time to time we’ll look to share with our readers some of the more interesting trading insights, and potential price movements, of key commodities we cover. Our hedge fund and trading customers get these every week, so sign up if you’d like more of this! Today, we’re focusing on Brazilian coffee and its potential impact on the broader coffee market.

Wheat prices are experiencing a dramatic surge, with the wheat futures contract skyrocketing from $5.53 per bushel on April 18, 2024, to $6.87 per bushel by May 13 - an astounding 24% rise in a few weeks. This surge marks the highest level since August 2023 and signals a major shift in the global commodity market. So what in the world is going on with wheat?

Helios was featured in an Integrity Research Newsletter this past week, which boasts a 75,000+ readership of traders! Integrity Research focuses on the announcement of our new API feature - and how commodity traders & agricultural buyers can seamlessly ingest our data for their models and reporting.

The wait is over… Helios 3.0 is finally here! For the first time ever, agricultural buyers can now monitor global growing seasons for the top 50 fruits and vegetables, shift buying patterns accordingly, and get ahead of price increases. Onboard yourself instantly to gain access to our software platform, weekly email summaries, and NEW Global Commodity Reports!

In today’s post, we take a look at the climate issues affecting a local farm’s ability to grow crops. Helios’ platform shows that last year’s rainfall was 20 inches lower than usual - a brutal 29% decline off of the historical average. Typically, with less rainfall you could rely on aquifers to irrigate your crops. But as cities continue to expand and develop, there are fewer wells to draw water from.

Our CEO, Francisco, was featured on the HNGRY Podcast this week! HNGRY founder Matt Newberg chatted with Francisco about how some of the largest food players and commodity traders are leveraging Helios’ platform, the various tradeoffs we need to be considering in agribusiness, and technological solutions that can help create a more resilient food system over the long haul.

In the second part of our blog post, “Customer Spotlight: How Helios Helps a Global Sourcing Director Navigate Unprecedented Disruptions and Climate Change”, we have Michele Conners, the Global Sourcing Director at Just Quality, interview our CEO/Co-founder Francisco Martin-Rayo.

In a conversation with Michele Conners, the Global Sourcing Director at Just Quality, we explore how her team is leveraging the Helios platform to navigate the increasing complexity and volatility of agricultural supply chains.

Today marks the one year anniversary since Helios launched its first beta product. Given this milestone, I wanted to take a moment to recognize not just how much Helios has accomplished, but how much technology has changed in these past 12 months.

Throughout 2023, we've observed a significant recalibration in potash prices, a key agricultural input, illustrating the dynamic give-and-take between global supply chains and commodity markets. After reaching a peak of $1,202 per metric ton in April 2022, the price had adjusted to $331.90 per metric ton by November 2023.

Winter is coming… came and went? The last four decades have witnessed a global temperature rise of approximately 0.18°C (0.32°F) per decade - a trend that is only accelerating. The ripple effect on agriculture, from delayed flowering to reduced yields, poses a tangible threat to the stability of food supply chains worldwide.