Chapter 286: Duanliu
In March, the North China Plain began to melt the ice and snow, and there were some signs of spring blooming.
However, North America encountered unprecedented cooling events at this time.
On a small island in the Newfoundland region.
As the only remaining overseas colony in North America: the Milkron Islands, there are many scientific research institutions that study climate and environment.
Pierre Jean looked at the North Atlantic sea surface temperatures that were remotely sensed by satellites, and his face was extremely solemn because he found that since February this year, the North Atlantic warm currents had rapidly weakened, and by March, the situation further worsened.
At this time, the satellite remote sensing data in front of him revealed this cold reality to him.
As the North Atlantic warm currents almost cut off, the east coast of North America in March is still a snowy winter scene, and there is no sign of spring at all.
His assistant was also worried: "Doctor, the data from the local area is here too."
"Is the situation bad?" Dr. Pierre Jean took the document while saying it. After reading for a while, he sighed weakly: "Hey... humans are still too small in front of nature."
According to the report, the temperature in Gaul is also about five degrees Celsius lower than in previous years.
The entire Baltic Sea has been completely frozen. The Barents Sea, which can sail for many years in the past decade, is also covered by the Arctic ice sheet at this time.
The Arctic route, which was rampant in the past few years, was suddenly hit by the ruthless power of nature.
The temperate marine climate in Western Europe relies entirely on the gift of the warm currents of the North Atlantic, otherwise their climate would be similar to that of the Northeastern region of Cyris. After all, the latitudes of these two regions are similar.
The consequence of this violent climate change is that winter is colder and summer is hotter; extreme high temperatures at low latitudes become more frequent, and extreme low temperatures at high latitudes are also more frequent.
The collapse, or reconstruction of the North Atlantic warm current, is very likely to bring a major climate change to the world.
Affected by this extreme weather, extreme high temperatures have occurred in the Caribbean region of Central America and the Amazon rainforest region of South America, and powerful tropical cyclones are constantly brewing, sweeping towards North America.
Due to the discontinuation of the North Atlantic warm current, there was not much warm and humid air flow in the eastern and central North America, and the inland areas became dry and cold.
Especially due to the terrain of the Central Plains of North America, without the hedge of the North Atlantic warm current, the cold air from the Arctic cold vortex drove straight in, killing all the way to Texas and northern Florida, bringing a significant cooling to the local area.
Fox TV.
The host of the show asked with a serious expression: "Hello, Dr. Kevin, when do you think it will subside for this major cooling incident in North America?"
The bald Dr. Kevin shook his head: "It will take at least one month."
"One month?"
"Yes, Mr. Host."
The host asked again: "What do you think is causing this major cooling? Is it possible that Cyris transformed the desert?"
"Uh?" Dr. Kevin was confused by the other party's radical topic. After a few seconds, he replied helplessly: "The desert transformation activities in eastern Asia have not affected the world so quickly, especially the North Atlantic. However, the global climate is a whole, and it may have some impact."
"Oh?" The host was already happy when he heard what he wanted to guide. He then struck while the iron was hot and asked: "I heard that photovoltaic panels and wind power can also affect the climate. In the past decade, the scale of photovoltaic and wind power in East Asia has become increasingly large. I wonder if it was the emergence of these projects that led to further deterioration of the global climate?"
Dr. Kevin already knew what the Fox TV host thought, but considering the phone call from his behind-the-scenes gold medalist before entering the studio, he also knew what he should say.
Dr. Kevin nodded and said with a serious expression: "Photovoltaic and wind power will indeed affect the climate. If photovoltaic and wind power are developed on a large scale, the accumulated variables in some areas may cause climate change in other parts of the world."
The host continued to guide the topic: "Dr. Kevin, if these photovoltaics and wind power are removed, can we curb the global climate continue to deteriorate?"
"I think it will have a certain effect."
Then the host turned his head and looked at another special guest in the studio: "Professor Sterling, what impact do you think this major cooling incident will have?"
Professor Sterling, who studies the global economy, pushed his glasses and immediately spoke: "There is no doubt that this major cooling will bring huge economic losses, and it will also lead to a rise in global agricultural product prices."
"How much money will be lost?"
"Conservatively estimated it is about US$200 billion."
The host became even more excited, but he still looked worried: "Professor Sterling, if the prices of agricultural products increase, will domestic consumers face more severe life pressure?"
"Yes, I estimate that global agricultural product prices will rise by at least 50% to 150%. "
The host's face became heavier, and then he said angrily: "This major cooling incident is definitely a conspiracy. It was Seris who deliberately undermined the global climate stability and then gained benefits from it. At the same time, it was also to coerce other regions. We cannot tolerate such evil behavior."
Obviously, the agricultural systems in North America and Western Europe have been seriously affected by this major cooling incident, which has made many behind-the-scenes interest groups unable to sit still.
While mobilizing the power of the news media, they poured dirty water on the global Internet and diverted conflicts; while they were operating the financial system, they ate human blood and made great fortunes.
And after these news came out in full swing.
Although Cyris' products have been boycotted to a certain extent, the real impact is that many ordinary people have begun to go to supermarkets and shops to buy food in groups.
However, the four major grain merchants and other European and American agricultural companies and food companies did not have the idea of curbing food prices. Instead, they were fueling the fire, deliberately limited sales, and artificially creating a demand gap.
Soon, agricultural product markets, supermarkets, and shops in Europe and the United States were crowded with crowds of panic consumers, and all kinds of food on the shelves were sold out.
And the price of these foods has almost doubled compared to last month.
This panic spreads and ferments further as the shelves are emptied.
This has led to the surge in prices of wheat, corn, soybeans, oats, rice, cassava and white sugar in the international market.
Not only the futures market is soaring, but the prices in the physical trading market are also soaring.
However, this price fluctuation has been significantly suppressed when it comes to East Asia.
…
The Magic City.
Lu Weibin, who represented Hailufeng Company, held a food security symposium with large domestic agricultural companies such as COFCO Group, China Grain Reserves Group, Beidahuang Group, Shounong Group, and New Hope Group.
He Jiakang, chairman of China National Grain and Oils Corporation, who just took up his new position last year, said calmly: "The domestic grain reserves are sufficient, so don't worry too much."
"Of course we believe in the reserves of China National Grain Storage."
All domestic agricultural giants present are very clear about how much grain reserves there are in China.
Wang Yafu, chairman of COFCO Group, said with a smile: "This year, the cultivation area of fairy beans and soybeans in the southern region has increased by nearly 60 million mu, but these soybean varieties in the southern region are all Hailufeng Company just launched fairy bean No. 4 this year."
The so-called Xiandou No. 4 is different from the previous three Xiandou varieties. The core of this variety is low in protein, low in fat, and high in starch.
That's right, this variety is a high-starred type of fairy bean soybean.
This variety was actually developed by Jiang Miao a long time ago, but he didn't care much before. It was not until he discovered that the domestic plant protein and vegetable oil production capacity was oversupply, and he remembered that this variety was available and promoted.
The mature and dry soybeans of Xiandou No. 4 have a protein content of 9.4%, an oil content of 5.5%, a water content of 3%, and a cellulose and hemicellulose content of 14%. The only thing left is starch, polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and other minerals.
The average yield per mu can reach about 420 kilograms.
The southern region currently promotes the planting of 60 million mu.
This soybean has been improved and has lost many of its properties. For example, eating soybeans usually can easily cause intestinal flatulence, which does not.
Therefore, the soybeans of this variety can be eaten directly as grains. Due to the soaring starch content, the taste tastes similar to chickpeas.
However, its oil and protein content are still relatively high. It is better to supplement rice as a dietary supplement, which can make the rice more balanced nutrients. At the same time, when necessary, it can replace some of the intake of animal protein and animal fat.
Of course, Xiandou No. 4 is actually a grain crop with very comprehensive nutritional ingredients. If you encounter an emergency, you can rely solely on this type of grain, without eating vegetables and fruits, meat, eggs, milk and grains, to meet your daily survival needs.
Therefore, in addition to serving as an auxiliary food for humans, Xiandou No. 4 can also be used as feed raw material for livestock and poultry.
At present, many mountain terraces and Huaihe River basins in the south are the main planting areas of Xiandou No. 4. The area of planting fairy beans in the Huaihe River Basin is very large, and it has reached 42.7 million mu. The main farmlands it planted are those that used to plant winter wheat and summer corn.
This is the specialty of the Xiandou series, which is to mix seeds with other crops or rotate them.
In the conference room, everyone discussed their respective planting area, planting categories, and agricultural product reserves, and conducted a relatively comprehensive reconciliation.
Although the data of those small and foreign-funded enterprises are not calculated, the part they have actually played a decisive role.
Wang Yafu of COFCO Group told everyone about the data collected internally: "…From the feedback from North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America and other regions, although extreme weather has caused great losses, the global production capacity of food, sugar and other products is still relatively sufficient."
Lu Weibin sneered: "Natural disasters are just a minor meaning, man-made disasters are the key, and agricultural capital and financial capital in Europe and the United States are the culprits of the huge price increase in global agricultural products this time."
He looked at Xue Hua, chairman of Haida Group, again: "Mr. Xue, how is your company's import of soybeans and corn?"
"We are all purchasing from COFCO's branches in South America. The price is similar to that in China and has not increased much." Xue Hua obviously was wary of the four major grain merchants.
The chairman of another agricultural company frowned and asked, "Are we going to release production capacity to the world now?"
Wang Yafu shook his head: "It's useless. European and American interest groups will not allow our agricultural products to enter their markets, but we can consider trying to win areas that lack food, such as West Asia and North Africa. If they are willing to sell mineral resources, we can sell a batch of reserved grain to them at a low price."
"Do you barter directly?"
"What about it? Are you planning to collect green paper?"
"Just kidding, I don't want to collect green paper. If Amika goes crazy and freezes funds directly, it will be over."
The vice president of an agricultural company looked distressed: "Baring with things is not a long-term solution! How is Huayuan's internationalization progressing?"
"It's OK. Now the global payment currency accounts for 11.6%, ranking third in the world."
"It's not enough. This time we will also make some efforts to increase the scale of mineral exchange for grain, requiring these areas to adopt Huayuan settlement."
"No problem."
At this time, as the world's largest grain, oil, feed and sugar production area, they have the confidence to say this.
At the same time, as the world's largest industrial system, it also requires massive mineral resources input. Although alternative materials can be used or internal resources can be mined to reduce external dependence, many of the mineral resources are non-renewable resources, so it is more cost-effective to use imports as much as possible.
Dudu… He Jiakang, chairman of COFCO Group, felt a little embarrassed, but he still stood up and went to the small hall next door to answer the phone.
After a while, he walked back with a smile.
"Call He encountered some good news?"
He Jiakang did not hide anything: "It is indeed a happy event. A trading company in Saudi Arabia just asked us if we could sell a batch of floured wheat to them."
"Oh? It seems that the amount they want is very large?" Wang Yafu guessed that the purchase volume may be quite large. After all, if you purchase a small amount, you are not qualified to inform management at He Jiakang's level.
"They plan to sign a long-term agreement to purchase 1 million tons of high-quality floured wheat every year."
"What are Mr. He's plans?"
He Jiakang once said his thoughts: "You can consider selling at a low price, but the premise is that they accept Huayuan settlement and export natural gas and oil to us."
Wang Yafu suggested: "Everyone is here today, so we can discuss the establishment of an international trade liaison meeting."
"Mr. Wang's proposal is very good."
"Indeed, if you fight alone, it will not only cause internal friction, but also be easily defeated by each one."
"I agree."
Lu Weibin also nodded. Although Hailufeng Company's international trade is mainly luxury goods, he has no reason to refuse such things.
The existence of this contact meeting is to give everyone a platform for quick communication and avoid everyone fighting each other.
Just as domestic agricultural giants opened closed-door meetings.
The international bulk agricultural product futures market and physical trade market have also shown fierce changes.
Traditional grain import areas such as West Asia and North Africa, when they see almost doubled the prices of grain futures markets, they obviously will not sit still and wait for death.
The Egyptian Grain Trading Company, which is responsible for purchasing grain, was extremely solemn in the Cairo headquarters office at this time.
General Manager Ahmed rubbed his temples and put down the analysis report on his hand: "Omar, what do you think?"
Deputy General Manager Omar is a bearded man with a sharp look: "There is no shortage of food in the international market. The conflict in Eastern Europe has been calmed for more than a year, and now the food in Eastern Europe is gradually recovering. Obviously, this is the four major grain merchants manipulating the market."
"Then let's buy it directly from Lucia or Kiev Rus?" asked another vice president Ali.
Omar shook his head: "No, the Lucians are greedy polar bears. They see the price soaring in the international market and will definitely not sell it to us cheaply."
Alibaba looked frustrated: "Are there any other food suppliers in the international market?"
"Yes, and it's very powerful." Omar said with a roar.
"Huh?" Ahmed suddenly reacted: "Where is Cyris?"
Omar nodded: "Yes, their agricultural technology has made great progress in recent years. If we are willing to come to buy it, we are likely to buy a batch of grain at a low price."
"But are they not the world's largest grain importer? How do you export food to us?" Alibaba looked puzzled.
Omar's eyes were deep: "Ali, you underestimate the Oriental people too much. The reason they import food is to maintain trade balance. Look at the data of international traders in East Asia, the price of grain they exported to Cyris is still the original price. Although they used excuses to say that it was a contract signed a few years ago, there is an undeniable point that Cyris, the largest market in the world, is not something they can control."
"But why do they sell us food cheaply?"
Omar throws out an explosive idea: "Of course it's for the benefit, what if we adopt Huayuan settlement?"
"Bypass the US and the Euro?"
"What about that?"
Ahmed, who had been silent, finally spoke at this time: "I'll report to the higher authorities, hoping that they would agree to our plan to expand the settlement scale of Huayuan, which is also for future considerations."
"Please, Mr. Ahmed."
"This is my responsibility."
Two days later.
Omar and his group took a plane and flew directly from Cairo to the Magic City. They had completed communication within them, and the result was to find a way to get low-priced Cyris wheat, and it would be best to sign a long-term procurement agreement.
In addition to Egyptian grain trading companies, other West Asian and North African countries that need to import grain have also sent relevant grain procurement teams.
Obviously they don’t want to be cut off by the four major grain merchants.
The only place where you can provide a lot of cheap food is Cyris.
In fact, it is not only these West Asian and North African countries, but also Japan and South Goryeo were in an extremely tangled state at this time.
They wanted to purchase cheap grain, but they didn't want to offend the four major grain merchants and Ameika. At the same time, their domestic agricultural associations also opposed importing grain.
But seeing the global food prices soar, their domestic food self-sufficiency rate is only more than 30%, and there is still a huge gap that needs to be imported.
In addition, the economy of Japan and South Korea has not been very good in recent years. They really don’t want to buy the grain of the four major grain merchants at high prices. After all, it is not easy to make money now, but spending money is like flowing.
(This chapter ends)