Undoubtedly, one of the reasons for this sharp increase is adverse weather conditions. They have affected the harvests in Russia and Ukraine. In April, wheat futures prices on the exchange rose by 12%, marking the largest monthly jump since February 2022. In the latter part of the article, we will present a detailed analysis of the causes of this increase and forecasts for the future.

The reasons

1. Russia and Ukraine – losses caused by weather conditions and projected losses

April brought hope for good wheat harvests for Ukrainian farmers. However, May turned out to be one of the driest months in the region’s history, dashing these expectations. In Ukraine, which along with Russia accounts for nearly one-third of the world’s wheat exports, drought and unexpected frosts destroyed a significant portion of the crops.

As a result, forecasts indicate that Ukrainian wheat harvests will amount to 19.1 million tons, the lowest level in over a decade. In Russia, early frosts in May destroyed hundreds of thousands of hectares of crops, and analysts have lowered production forecasts by more than 10%.

Analysis by the Harvium team – satellite projection

Our team analyzed satellite data covering the wheat-growing area in southern Russia :-). Data from a representative winter wheat field in the Rostov region, which was most affected by frosts in early May 2024, show a significant decline in crop condition. Losses exceed 50% in the studied area.

Additionally, this situation did not improve at the beginning of June. This is shown in the maps and NDVI index graph below, which serves as a proxy for chlorophyll content and crop condition. In some fields, irreversible die-off of wheat shoots is visible. This may prompt local farmers to reseed with other crops on the most damaged fields to minimize losses this season. So far, such operations have not been observed.

Undoubtedly, an interesting temporal correlation can be observed between the occurrence of severe frosts in the wheat-growing region of southern Russia and the rise in prices in the following weeks. This is shown in the graph below.

2. Situation in other parts of the World

The increase in wheat prices has also been influenced by the situation in other parts of the world. Australia is struggling with drought, and India is likely to become a net importer of wheat.

Forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

As a result, the US Department of Agriculture forecasts in its report that global wheat stocks will reach their lowest level in nine years, which may lead to further price increases in global markets.

3. Weather conditions

Weather forecasts predict improved conditions for western and central Ukraine and western Russia, which may limit further losses. However, in southern Russia, the lack of rainfall could exacerbate losses and lead to even lower wheat yields.

Conclusion

In summary, the sudden weather changes in Russia and Ukraine, as well as the challenging situation in other wheat-producing regions, have led to an increase in wheat prices on global markets. This situation has driven up wheat prices on global markets. Forecasts indicate possible stabilization in some regions, but overall prospects for global harvests remain uncertain. To obtain information about prices of various products and commodities, check the quotations and contact Harvium.

The post The reasons behind the surge in the global wheat first appeared on Harvium.

Technological advancements are currently unfolding at an unprecedented pace. It’s reasonable to hypothesize that these new technologies will shape humanity’s trajectory by the end of this century. One particularly promising innovation is the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing method, which earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. This groundbreaking technique was developed by French microbiologist and geneticist Emmanuelle Marie Charpentier and American biochemist and molecular biologist Jennifer Anne Doudna.

CRISPR/Cas9 as a genetic engineering technique has allowed researchers from around the world to manipulate the genes of animals, humans, but also plants.

Modern agriculture operates in response to a range of challenges posed by natural conditions. These challenges drive legislative changes, often impacting production capacity and business costs. With a growing global population and increasing nutritional demands, the food sector must adopt new mechanisms. These approaches should consider the economic well-being of food producers, environmental sustainability, and the diverse interests of stakeholders.

Application of CRISPR/Cas9 in crop production

Conventional genetic modification methods rely on introducing foreign genetic material, often involving foreign DNA. In contrast, the CRISPR/Cas9 method leverages natural genetic diversity. Researchers use this approach to introduce genetic material that naturally functions within a specific biological system, such as crops.

Research has sparked innovative solutions

The CRISPR/Cas9 technology is a groundbreaking method that enables precise genome editing by removing, adding, or altering specific DNA sequences. In this case, Japanese startup Sanatech Seed collaborated with researchers at the University of Tsukuba to develop a new variety of tomatoes native to Sicily. The unconventionality of their solution lies in using gene modifications to precisely “cut” or replace selected genes, resulting in a successful practical application of the CRISPR/Cas9 mechanism. This innovation opens up exciting possibilities for crop improvement and agricultural advancements.

Health-promoting properties of the CRISPR method. Food that heals?

Firstly, the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid in cultured tomato seedlings is almost 500% of the naturally observed level. This provides the opportunity to exploit and simultaneously intensify the properties of anabolic and regenerative action. Furthermore, considering the above, several health benefits for consumers become apparent. For instance, consumption of tomatoes created using the CRISPR/Cas9 method can help reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels, which play a role in stress susceptibility. Moreover, it significantly impacts the process of building muscle mass, increases the secretion of growth hormone, and effectively conditions the mechanisms associated with the body’s regenerative processes.

CRISPR technology will solve global problems?

Undoubtedly, the wide spectrum of positive properties in food created using the CRISPR/Cas9 method provides substantial evidence for the future of genetic engineering. Emphasizing the expediency and legitimacy of research related to CRISPR/Cas9’s potential is crucial. Parallel studies have yielded promising results, as seen in the development of a new variety of corn, highlighting the salutary impact of CRISPR/Cas9 in the fight against climate change.

CRISPR will save corn yields from drought?

In the case of corn, researchers are working on a variety that is immune to water deficits, which, given the shifting climate zones and thus the desertification of previously green areas, is very important. The isolation and dissemination of a new drought-tolerant corn variety would be a process to reduce the level of hunger in the world. In view of the above, it can be concluded in each case that the use of CRISPR technology positively affects the functioning of society on a global scale. To put it more bluntly, humanity cannot afford to miss such mechanisms.

Necessary changes in the law…

Its further development is necessary, as well as the constitution of a legislative space to regulate the presence of genetically modified foods by the innovative CRISPR-Cas9 method. The EU institutions owe it to revise the existing policy and adapt regulations at the EU level as soon as possible commensurate with the results of scientific research. According to Antonio Villaroel – president of the Spanish National Association of Plant Breeders (ANOVE), it is necessary to implement mechanisms on a large scale to adapt current crop varieties to new conditions, because the varieties currently used in crop production will not be too useful in 10 years. Thus, the prospect is inevitable and very imminent, it is necessary to act here and now!

Other application areas of CRISPR/Cas9

An important area of application of CRISPR/Cas9 is research in the field of medicine. The innovative CRISPR/Cas9 method is used in personalized medicine, i.e. in gene therapy. Thanks to its properties, it allows the introduction of foreign DNA into the genome, resulting in the alteration of a gene mutation giving the chance to obtain the correct version of the gene.

The system has found application in the treatment of single-gene diseases min. beta-thalassemia, cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In addition, in studies related to the treatment of myeloid leukemia, the researchers succeeded in breeding a mouse that is the desired disease model. Such an achievement was the ground for further research related to large-scale analysis of the effects of drugs used in the fight against the aforementioned cancer in real time in an in vivo model.

Gene drive will annihilate the diseases of civilization?

Moreover, solutions built on CRISPR/Cas9 have been applied to the gene drive genetic engineering mechanism. The primary objective of this research is to enable the edited gene to spread through the population, potentially eradicating diseases. This system is planned for use in an attempt to combat diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes, among others.

The versatility arising from the possibility of implementing the CRISPR/Cas9 method across various domains simultaneously underscores its tremendous potential, which humanity should not overlook!

Looking for prices in agriculture – check it out! Newest info about changes in pricing here.

M. Jinek, A Programmable Dual-DNA-Guided DNA Endonuclease in Adaptive Bacterial Immunity, „Science”, t. 337 nr 6096 (2012).

M. Qaim, Genetically modified crops and agricultural development (2016).

„Illumina” – Gene Editing Research Review; https://www.illumina.com/content/dam/illumina-marketing/documents/products/research_reviews/publication-review-gene-editing-research.pdf

A. Mayer, S. Dastgheib-Vinarov, The Future of Food? CRISPR-Edited Agriculture, The Future of Food? CRISPR-Edited Agriculture

NOWOSAD K., STĘPIEŃ P., MUSIAŁ P., 2016. CRISPR-Cas9 nowe narzędzie inżynierii genetycznej. Wydawnictwo naukowe TYGIEL sp. z o.o, 1 (6), 76-87.

Li, J., Scarano, A., Gonzalez, N.M. et al. Biofortified tomatoes provide a new route to vitamin D sufficiency. Nat. Plants 8, 611–616 (2022). Biofortified tomatoes provide a new route to vitamin D sufficiency

Los mejoradores de variedades vegetales ven irrenunciable la edición genómica para asegurar la alimentación; https://efeagro.com/mejoradores-vegetales-obtentor

First Genome Edited Tomato with Increased GABA In the World https://sanatech-seed.com/en/20201211-1-2/

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry: „The Nobel Prize”, Nobel Prize / Chemistry / 2020

The post CRISPR/Cas9, A revolutionary food production tech! first appeared on Harvium.