OSR soars as Paris rapeseed tops €490
Our benchmark spot prices (Midlands & Wales)
Feed Wheat
The wheat market continues to face downward pressure from optimistic production forecasts, although trading was light around Monday’s US holiday. Meanwhile, Ukrainian wheat exports are down 25.8% year-on-year, severely hampered by Russian attacks on energy and port infrastructure.
Prices retreated on Tuesday, the “old crop” May 2026 contract for London feed wheat dropping to £165.80. A slight recovery saw the contract finish Thursday at £167.20.
Forward-selling of 2026 feed wheat has increased on Hectare Trading, with farmers in Northumberland & Scottish Borders, North East Scotland and the East and West Midlands all locking in prices.
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Milling Wheat
Weak demand from UK millers for home-grown milling wheat (down 3.6% year-on-year in July to December according to AHDB) has made many UK growers delay sales. Consequently, late movement of old crop has increased the risk of infestations in store
Growing conditions in France this winter are reported to be exceptional, with 91% of soft wheat and 87% of hard wheat in good or excellent condition, the best ratings in three years.
As in London, Paris milling wheat (March 2026) slipped back to €190.50 (£166.36) on Tuesday. Two days of small gains brought the contract back to €193.75 (£169.20) at Thursday’s close.
Oilseeds
Brazil is on track for a massive soybean crop of 178 Mt, now hitting the global market. However, harvest progress is being watched closely due to volatile weather patterns across Brazil, leading to significant regional disparities.
Paris rapeseed (May 2026) began the week by topping €490, closing Monday at €491.50 (£427.11). After such a sustained rally since the start of the year, some retracement was inevitable, but the contract still managed to finish Thursday on a 7-month high at €492.75 (£428.20).
Other Crop
December 2025 was the largest month for Australian barley exports since 2023, with 875,000t of feed and 349,000t of malting. China dominates demand, taking 80% of Australia’s feed barley shipments.
On Hectare Trading, sellers have been locking in prices on 2026 feed wheat in Northumberland & Scottish Borders, for movement at harvest.
Wanted Crop
🌾 Feed Barley is wanted for collection from across Central Scotland, North East Scotland, Northumberland & Scottish Borders for March movement with a guide price of £145/t. (Unassured/Assured)
🫘 29t Beans are wanted for collection from a home in North Wales or the West Midlands. Wanted for April 2026 movement to go into a mill in Shropshire with a guide price of £199-205/t.
🌾 Malting Barley (Laureate/Planet only) is wanted for collection from across Kent from 2026 harvest. Wanted from October to December 2026 with a fixed premium of £20/t.
🌾 Feed Barley is wanted for collection from across Cornwall for April movement with a guide price of £160.00/t.
🌾 Feed Barley is wanted for collection from across Yorkshire and the Humber. Wanted to go into a home in North Yorkshire for loading w/c 23rd Feb with a guide price of £160-162/t.
🌾 Feed Wheat is wanted for collection across East Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands for May, June movement with a guide price of £172-176/t.
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.