Cibus Surges 11.56% as Trade Tensions Fuel Agricultural Biotech Rally

Cibus (CBUS) surged 11.56% in intraday trading, marking its third consecutive day of gains with a cumulative 17.14% rise over three days. The stock reached its highest level since October 2025, with a 35.37% rally during the session, reflecting renewed investor optimism amid shifting trade dynamics.

The momentum was fueled by President Trump’s public remarks on Truth Social, which labeled China’s alleged avoidance of U.S. soybean purchases as an “Economically Hostile Act.” His warnings of retaliatory measures in the cooking oil sector intensified fears of disrupted trade flows, sparking a broader rally in agricultural stocks. Cibus, a biotechnology firm developing trait solutions for crops, benefited from sector-wide enthusiasm as investors speculated on potential protectionist policies favoring U.S. agricultural producers.

Key players in the agricultural biotech space saw significant gains, with Origin Agritech (SEED) jumping 92.3%, Arcadia Biosciences (RKDA) rising 53.28%, and Australian Oilseeds Holdings (COOT) surging 248.19% in after-hours trading. These movements underscored the sector’s sensitivity to geopolitical trade narratives. While Cibus was not directly referenced in Trump’s statements, its alignment with technologies enhancing crop resilience positioned it to capture investor interest during the trade-driven rally.

Short-term volatility highlighted the stock’s responsiveness to external policy shifts. Despite a 47.12% decline in 2025, Cibus has rebounded 7.30% in the past month, trading within a historical range of $1.20 to $6.10. The company’s $79.73 million market capitalization and limited daily trading volume of 198,330 shares further contextualized its niche position in the sector. Analysts noted that while long-term growth depends on regulatory progress in gene-editing, near-term performance remains tied to macroeconomic and geopolitical developments.

Investors remain cautious about the durability of the rally, given the absence of concrete policy actions from the Trump administration. However, the immediate market reaction emphasized the sector’s susceptibility to political rhetoric. With U.S.-China trade tensions historically influencing commodity markets, any escalation in rhetoric could amplify volatility for agricultural biotech firms. Cibus’ ability to sustain gains will likely depend on whether trade dynamics evolve into actionable policy frameworks or remain speculative in nature.