Walmart is integrating artificial intelligence into its supply chain operations to anticipate how climate changes may impact agricultural commodity prices.
The retail giant has partnered with Helios AI, a climate risk and price forecasting platform, to enhance its procurement strategies.
Helios was selected through Walmart’s annual Open Call initiative, which invites entrepreneurs to showcase innovative solutions.
With over 4,600 stores in the US and thousands of fresh produce SKUs to manage daily, Walmart aims to maintain a resilient and sustainable supply chain.
By leveraging Helios, the company can assess medium and long-term climate risks across its global agricultural network to safeguard product availability.
“Walmart is leading the way when it comes to leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen its supply chain,” said Francisco Martin-Rayo, co-founder and CEO of Helios.
“Helios’ winning the ‘golden ticket’ is not only a great testament to our technology, but also proof that there are urgent needs from procurement teams to climate-proof their supply chains – especially those at the most globalized levels.”
Alongside its Walmart partnership, Helios AI is rolling out new tools to support agri-food procurement teams.
These tools offer climate and weather forecasts for the year ahead, pricing data by origin and variety, and customizable analysis timeframes. They also include metrics on temperature extremes and rainfall patterns at specific growing locations.
This latest collaboration aligns with Walmart’s broader commitment to sustainability. The company has been working toward its goal of becoming a ‘regenerative’ business since 2020.
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