Midlands feed wheat up £2 to £168
Our benchmark spot prices (Midlands & Wales)
Feed Wheat
Wheat markets remain caught between weather risks in the Northern Hemisphere and heavy global supplies. Meanwhile, AHDB’s January balance sheet indicated reduced UK wheat imports of 2.2 Mt in 2025/26, 868 Kt down on 2024/25.
After a strong end to last week, London feed wheat (May 2026) started this week on the back foot, dropping to £167.15 on Tuesday. By Thursday’s close, the benchmark “old crop” contract stood at £168.20.
Farmers have been looking to lock in prices this week, with forward-selling of 2026 feed wheat in South and West Wales on Hectare Trading.
For full spot and futures price analysis, visit our enhanced Insights on Hectare Trading.
Milling Wheat
The EU has lowered its soft wheat export forecast for the 2025/26 season by 1.5 Mt to 29.5 Mt due to competition from Argentine grain. Consequently, EU ending stocks for wheat were revised upward, from 11.7 Mt to 13.0 Mt.
Paris milling wheat futures have failed to build on last week’s recovery so far. The March 2026 contract eased back to €193.25 (£166.64) on Tuesday, inched forward to €193.75 (£166.94) on Wednesday and closed Thursday at €193.50 (£168.47).
We’ve seen farmers in Northumberland & Scottish Borders forward-selling group 4 hard wheat on Hectare Trading this week.
Oilseeds
Chicago soybean futures have surged after President Trump suggested China may buy 20 Mt of US soybeans this year and 25 Mt next year, with signs of an improvement in US-China relations.
Rapeseed prices on Euronext have strengthened, tracking the US soybean complex and supported by a weaker euro. After ending last week at €472.75 (£409.50), Paris rapeseed (May 2026) jumped €10 to €482.75 (£415.94) by Wednesday, making further gains to settle Thursday at €485.75 (£422.94).
Other Crop
The AHDB balance sheet revealed that UK human and industrial demand for barley is projected to drop to 1.584 Mt in 2025/26, down 214 Kt year-on-year and the lowest level since records began.
By contrast, total domestic consumption of oats is estimated to rise by 7% year-on-year, with human and industrial demand up 21 kt at 512 Kt.
Wanted Crop
🌾 Feed Barley is wanted for collection for homes from across The West Midlands and Wales. Wanted to go into a feed mill directly with a guide price of £155 to £160 and 7 to 14 day payment terms.
🥣 203t of oats are wanted for collection for homes from across The North West of England, with a guide price of £110 to £116 and to specifications of 45kg/hl.
🌾 29-174t of feed barley is wanted for collection for homes from across Central Scotland, North East Scotland, Northumberland & Scottish Borders, Scotland. Movement in February or March with a guide price of £135 to £145.
🥣 29-290t Mascani Oats (50 kg/hl) are wanted for collection for homes from across East Anglia, East Midlands, Essex, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire. March, April or May movement with a guide price of £120 to £125.
This article is for general information only and is not an instruction to trade. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the content at the time of publication, Hectare Trading makes no guarantee regarding the data provided.