Prices showed some positivity this week, but were not jumping out of the stalls.
The French December wheat contract, for example, was at €230.25/t, up on the week, but behind the price the week previous which was €232.75/t.
The December 2027 price was at €228/t, only back slightly on the previous week. French corn was relatively unchanged.
The nearby rapeseed price dropped dramatically, but that contract is coming near a close.
Looking ahead, the November 2027 price for French rape was falling slightly this week.
Currency and oil prices had been helping the price, but with soybeans falling in the US, it is something to keep an eye on. November 2027 rapeseed was at €533.75/t on Wednesday afternoon.
US prices were slightly positive on Wednesday, but had been in the red. Agritel reported that funds are leaving the market.
The European Commission released its October crop monitoring in Europe report this week. As harvesting wraps up for most crops across Europe, the yield forecasts are below the five-year average for most crops.
Grain maize yields were reduced a further 1% from last month’s report and are estimated to be down 9% on the five-year average.
Potato yields are down 8% from the average, with sugar beet down 12%, sunflowers down 3%, soybeans down 15%, field beans down 7%, peas down 4% and silage maize down 15%.
As winter crops have been planted in recent weeks, the report stated: “Low soil moisture is hampering rapeseed emergence and winter cereal establishment across drought-affected regions, resulting in uneven crop development.
“In contrast, excessive rainfall in the Baltic states and Finland has delayed winter crop sowing, with potential reductions in the winter crop area, particularly in the Baltic states.
“Forecast rain could help with crop establishment in many areas, while drier conditions are forecast for Baltic states..”
Malt
Talk around malting markets has been negative recently. However, this week, Reuters reported this week that French malt producer Malteurop acquired Chunlei Malting Co, expanding its capacity in China.
The plant is reported to be able to produce 220,000t of malt each year.
Reuters said: “China is one of the world’s biggest malt-exporting countries, supported by massive imports of barley as raw material.”
Prices
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported prices from Northern Ireland as of 23 October 2026 at £221.50/t for feed barley for February into Belfast.
Spot feed wheat was placed at £228/t, while February wheat was at £230.50/t. This was down £9.50/t on last week.
