Edible Garden (EDBL) Q2 2025 Earnings Call August 14, 2025 08:00 AM ET Speaker0Good morning everyone and welcome to the Edible Garden Incorporated twenty twenty five Second Quarter Business Update Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode and the floor will be open for questions following the presentation. I will now turn the conference over to your host, Ted Avas of Crescendo Communications. Ted, the floor is yours.Speaker1Thanks, Jenny. Good morning, and thank you for joini ...

Core Points - The fourth China-Japan-South Korea Agricultural Ministers' Meeting was held in Incheon, South Korea, marking the resumption of discussions after a seven-year hiatus since the last meeting in November 2018 in Beijing [1] - The ministers discussed six core topics including food security, animal disease prevention, sustainable agriculture, rural revitalization, cooperation on globally significant agricultural cultural heritage, and global collaboration [1] - The three countries reached a consensus on the importance of information sharing and joint responses to complex challenges in agriculture, such as climate crises, cross-border disease transmission, and supply chain instability [1] - There was an agreement to expand complementary cooperation in areas like smart agriculture, green low-carbon agriculture, and the cultivation of new farmers [1] - The Chinese Minister expressed a willingness to engage in open dialogue and collective action to promote a new framework for agricultural cooperation among the three countries, aiming for a more resilient, broader, and closer collaboration [1] Summary of Agreements - The ministers signed a joint communiqué and agreed on the regular and institutionalized holding of meetings [2] - The next China-Japan-South Korea Agricultural Ministers' Meeting is scheduled to be held in Japan [2]

Core Insights - Researchers at Hebrew University in Jerusalem successfully "revived" two strains of plant pathogenic fungi collected approximately 80 years ago, providing important clues for understanding the long-term impact of modern agriculture on soil microbial ecology and supporting the development of more sustainable agricultural systems [1][2] Group 1: Research Findings - The study focused on Botrytis cinerea, a globally prevalent plant pathogenic fungus that causes gray mold disease in over 200 crops, posing significant challenges to agricultural productivity, global food security, international trade, and environmental health [1] - The research team selected two strains of gray mold fungus from the 1940s, which naturally grew in agricultural systems before the widespread use of synthetic fertilizers and fungicides, considered as samples from the "pre-chemical intervention era" [1] - The revival involved advanced techniques such as whole-genome sequencing, transcriptome analysis, and metabolome analysis, revealing significant differences between the old strains and modern strains, including weaker resistance to fungicides and lower pathogenicity [1][2] Group 2: Implications for Agriculture - The evolution of gray mold over approximately 80 years reflects the long-term impact of human agricultural activities on micro-ecosystems, allowing researchers to quantify the biological costs of human intervention [2] - The findings are expected to aid in improving plant disease management, biodiversity conservation, and advancing sustainable agricultural practices [2]

Group 1 - The stock price of Muyuan Foods on July 29 was 47.28 yuan, down by 1.06 yuan, a decrease of 2.19% from the previous trading day. The trading volume was 436,200 hands, with a transaction amount of 2.068 billion yuan [1] - Muyuan Foods' main business is pig breeding and sales, with primary products including commercial pigs, breeding pigs, and piglets. The company employs a "self-breeding, self-raising large-scale integrated" business model, forming a complete pig industry chain that includes research, feed processing, pig breeding, breeding pig expansion, commercial pig raising, and pig slaughtering [1] - The company has innovated a "pig-raising in fields, field-raising pigs" circular model, treating pig manure into organic fertilizer provided free to farmers, currently serving 4.72 million acres and reducing chemical fertilizer usage by 154,600 tons. This model has been selected as a sustainable agriculture case by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [1] - The company has also made significant progress in independent breeding, breaking through restrictions on imported breeding pigs [1] Group 2 - On July 29, the net outflow of main funds for Muyuan Foods was 357 million yuan, accounting for 0.2% of the circulating market value [2]

Group 1: G20 Summit and Agricultural Cooperation - South Africa emphasizes the need for trade opportunities rather than aid from developed countries, aiming for fair market access for high-quality agricultural products [1][7] - The G20 summit, hosted by South Africa, will focus on three core issues: African development, energy transition and debt sustainability, and reform of the global governance system [1] - The summit aims to gather global agricultural stakeholders to discuss equitable market access, benefiting both developing and developed countries [1][7] Group 2: South Africa's Agricultural Exports to China - South Africa has gained access to the Chinese market for fresh avocados, marking a significant growth opportunity for local agriculture [2] - The introduction of a zero-tariff policy for all products from African countries with diplomatic ties to China enhances the competitiveness of South African agricultural exports [2][3] - The trade volume between China and South Africa reached $52.46 billion in 2024, with South Africa exporting $30.64 billion worth of goods to China, including popular products like wine and avocados [3] Group 3: Agricultural Technology and Collaboration - South Africa seeks to enhance agricultural productivity through technology sharing with China, focusing on smart agriculture and sustainable practices [5][7] - The collaboration includes agreements for South African students to learn advanced agricultural technologies in China, which can improve yield and quality [5] - Both countries are exploring joint efforts in developing environmentally friendly agricultural inputs and improving soil quality management [7]

Core Viewpoint - Agricultural enterprises are redefining food industry standards through a comprehensive transformation towards smart and green practices, utilizing technologies such as energy management, digitalization, and artificial intelligence to reduce carbon footprints and ensure traceability of raw materials [1][3]. Group 1: Initiatives by Major Companies - McDonald's China, along with 11 suppliers, launched the "McChain" initiative aimed at achieving 100% traceability of ingredients by 2026 and establishing a smart industrial park by 2027 [1]. - Starbucks is collaborating with Envision Technology to create a carbon management platform that will cover all direct and significant indirect suppliers, measuring the carbon footprint of thousands of items [2]. - Cargill is enhancing the efficiency and quality of agricultural and food production through technological innovations and sustainable practices [3]. Group 2: Technological Innovations in Agriculture - Smart logistics systems are being implemented by suppliers like Shunxin Hui to reduce carbon emissions, with automated operations and solar power integration [4]. - Real-time monitoring of environmental conditions during transportation is being utilized by Charoen Pokphand Group to ensure optimal conditions for durian shipments [4]. - The use of sensors and cloud platforms in agriculture is helping to monitor soil and pest conditions, thereby reducing chemical inputs [6]. Group 3: Global Market Influence - Chinese suppliers are increasingly exporting products to international markets, with McDonald's suppliers exporting approximately 8,000 tons of fries annually to Japan and South Korea [6]. - The demand for high-quality chicken in Europe is driving companies like Jiulian Group to enhance their management and quality control processes [6]. - Innovations in seed technology by companies like Longping High-Tech are contributing to increased local food production, reducing transportation costs and emissions [7]. Group 4: Sustainable Practices and Environmental Impact - Companies are adopting renewable energy sources, with Yum China establishing a distributed solar power alliance to encourage suppliers to use green energy [3]. - The integration of wind sails on Cargill's cargo ships has resulted in significant fuel savings during ocean transport [5]. - The use of electric vehicles in cold chain logistics is being promoted by companies like Teling Technology to enhance energy efficiency [5].

Core Viewpoint - McDonald's China celebrates the 40th anniversary of local potato cultivation, highlighting its commitment to modern agricultural practices and sustainable supply chain collaboration with partners and farmers [2][3][4]. Group 1: Anniversary Celebration and Initiatives - McDonald's China, along with suppliers and farmers, celebrated the 40th anniversary of local potato cultivation at the China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo [2]. - The company launched the 11th "Big Potato Day" event, focusing on the story of quality and fun experiences behind their fries [2][8]. - The "McChain" initiative was introduced to promote higher quality, smarter, and greener supply chain collaboration [3]. Group 2: Agricultural Development and Supply Chain - The potato industry in China has seen significant growth, with Simplot China's annual potato harvest expected to reach 92,000 tons by 2025, up from a few thousand tons in the early years [4]. - Modern farming practices have replaced traditional methods, with over 40,000 acres implementing crop rotation and water-saving techniques [7]. - McDonald's supply chain optimization includes the establishment of new processing plants, with over $450 million invested in two new factories by McCain and Lamb Weston in 2023 [7]. Group 3: Consumer Engagement and Product Innovation - The "Big Potato Day" event encourages consumer interaction with fries, featuring a creative product called the "Big Potato Status Light" to enhance dining experience [8][10]. - McDonald's continues to focus on product innovation and sustainable practices to provide high-quality dining experiences for consumers [10].

Core Insights - The third China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo (Chain Expo) held in July 2025 in Beijing serves as a unique global platform for showcasing and connecting the agricultural supply chain, emphasizing the mutually beneficial relationship between the U.S. soybean industry and the Chinese market [1][4] Group 1: Supply Chain Integration - The U.S. soybean industry aims to present its achievements in supply chain integration from "farm to table," highlighting technological innovations and sustainable practices that create economic, social, and environmental value [4][10] - The length and international trade participation of the soybean supply chain make it a "super connector" between producers and consumers, leading to significant global influence [6][10] Group 2: Technological Advancements - The U.S. soybean industry's core competitiveness lies in its pursuit of precision through the use of digital technologies such as GPS and drones, optimizing various agricultural processes [7][10] - The industry focuses on educating end-users about the diverse applications of soybeans in feed and food, thereby expanding consumption demand [7][10] Group 3: Sustainable Practices - Sustainability is a key competitive advantage for the U.S. soybean industry, with practices established since the 1930s aimed at soil conservation and environmental protection [8][9] - The U.S. soybean supply chain demonstrates that sustainability can coexist with economic benefits, as evidenced by the low carbon footprint of U.S. soybeans compared to those sourced from other regions [9][10] Group 4: U.S.-China Cooperation - The U.S. Soybean Export Council has witnessed and participated in China's agricultural modernization since 1982, evolving from technology transfer to collaborative solution creation driven by mutual market demands [10][11] - The introduction of innovative aquaculture techniques has transformed China's fish farming practices, leading to improved quality and efficiency in production [11]

Core Insights - The article discusses the transformation of cold-water seaweed from a traditional animal feed into a key component of agricultural biostimulants, driven by technological advancements [1][3][4] Company Overview - Algea, a company founded in 1937 and later acquired by Syngenta, specializes in the harvesting and processing of cold-water seaweed, which has become a core raw material for Syngenta's biostimulant products [3][6] - The company employs advanced extraction techniques to produce soluble fertilizers from seaweed, significantly enhancing the nutritional value for soil absorption [6][7] Industry Trends - Biostimulants have emerged as a leading area of agricultural technology innovation, with seaweed extracts improving crop yields by 15% in European and American trials [9] - In Brazil, corn treated with these seaweed-based biostimulants showed a 12% yield increase under drought conditions [9] - The global biostimulant market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%, reaching nearly $20 billion by 2030, representing about 20% of the global crop protection market [11] Technological Advancements - Recent developments in biotechnology, data science, and artificial intelligence have accelerated the extraction and application of seaweed biostimulants, addressing challenges posed by climate change [9][11] - The integration of molecular biology and synthetic biology has facilitated the creation of effective biostimulant products [9][11] Market Dynamics - The global market for biostimulants is expected to expand rapidly, driven by increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices and government policies promoting reduced chemical usage [11][12] - In China, the biostimulant market is anticipated to grow even faster than the global average, supported by national policies and the need to address agricultural challenges such as pesticide resistance and soil degradation [16]

Group 1: Global Context - The theme for World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought emphasizes the importance of healthy land in providing food, water resources, employment, and security [1] - According to the latest data from the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40% of global land has degraded, affecting nearly half of the world's population [1] Group 2: Morocco's Initiatives - Morocco aims to restore 1 million hectares of land by 2030, implementing various policies such as the National Forest Strategy and the Green Morocco Plan [2] - Since 2005, Morocco has promoted afforestation strategies, focusing on drought-resistant tree species to increase vegetation cover [2] - The government encourages sustainable agriculture by subsidizing drip irrigation technology and promoting crop rotation and organic fertilizers [2] Group 3: International Cooperation in Morocco - Morocco collaborates with international organizations to promote sustainable grazing practices and develop drought response strategies, benefiting over 100,000 people [3] - A Moroccan startup utilizes solar energy to desalinate water for irrigation, achieving a 1.5 times higher yield compared to traditional monoculture [3] - Experts suggest that improving water resource management is crucial, with recommendations to explore AI irrigation systems for precise water supply [3] Group 4: Spain's Response - The Andalusia region, a major olive oil producer, faces severe land degradation due to extreme weather and overuse, prompting comprehensive management measures [4] - Spain's water reuse rate increased from 4% to 17.5% since 2019, as part of efforts to combat desertification [4] - Approximately 18% of Spain's land faces high desertification risk, with 20% already desertified, exacerbated by a 28% decrease in rainfall since 2022 [4][5] Group 5: Spain's Monitoring Systems - Spain has developed a real-time drought monitoring system using satellite data to analyze rainfall and evaporation, aiding water resource management [5] - The national strategy for combating desertification involves collaboration among various stakeholders and aims to create a desertification atlas for better risk analysis [5] Group 6: Turkmenistan's Actions - Turkmenistan, with 80% of its land covered by the Karakum Desert, actively implements national action plans to combat desertification [6] - The construction of water management systems has improved agricultural productivity and ecological balance [6] - The government plans to plant 3 million trees as part of its national forest development strategy [6] Group 7: International Collaboration in Turkmenistan - Turkmenistan collaborates with the FAO on sustainable resource management and has received support for monitoring desert plant growth [7] - The country seeks to learn from China's desertification control techniques, particularly the "wheat straw grid" method [7][8]