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.

Benchmark Asian rice prices are hovering near a 15-year peak, a clear signal of the significant ripple effects of India's export restrictions. This scenario underscores a critical challenge for those at the forefront of procurement in the global food industry: how to navigate a landscape where the actions of one key player can significantly distort supply dynamics and inflate prices on a global scale.

The global supply chain is facing a workforce shortage crisis that is becoming increasingly challenging to navigate. Helios AI can help existing workers stay afloat by automating routine tasks, optimizing logistics, and enhancing decision-making processes.

The Egyptian agricultural sector is currently grappling with a massive challenge due to the depreciation of the Egyptian pound. Picture this: you're an Egyptian farmer, and you’ve just realized your money isn't stretching as far as it used to. Why? Over the past two years, the Egyptian pound has lost nearly half its value against the US dollar. This drop is more than just numbers on a screen; it's hitting farmers where it hurts – their pockets.

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