Rain relieves crop concerns but pressures feed wheat prices
Our benchmark spot prices (Midlands & Wales)
Feed Wheat
In the Black Sea, the toll of the war continues to mount, with Ukraine estimating direct agricultural losses from Russian strikes at over $11 billion, significantly impacting machinery, storage and port export capacity.
Meanwhile, in the UK, widespread rainfall has eased concern over the 2026 wheat crop, but put feed wheat prices under renewed pressure.
The November 2026 London feed wheat contract started the week falling to £179.75 on Monday, before recovering to £181.00 by Wednesday. On Thursday the contract closed at £180.00.
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Milling Wheat
Improving spring wheat conditions in the US (now 52% rated good or excellent) have eased some fears over the US hard red winter wheat crop.
One of the most significant global developments for milling wheat is the severe crop damage in China. Prolonged rainfall in Hubei and Henan provinces has caused an estimated 4.8 to 10 million tonnes of wheat to sprout, downgrading it to feed quality. This represents a meaningful hit to China’s domestic flour-milling supply.
The September 2026 Paris milling wheat contract similarly slipped back to €200.75 (£173.37) on Monday, then climbed to €203.25 (£175.26) by Wednesday’s close, before finishing Thursday at €203.00 (£175.15).
Feed Barley
AHDB’s newly released Planting and Variety Survey revealed significant shifts in growing intentions across the country.
The Great Britain barley area has fallen by 12% year-on-year to a 16-year low of 930,000 hectares, driven by reduced malting demand and lower prices.
Oilseeds
US soybean prices have come under pressure amid overwhelming export competition from Brazil, which shipped a record 55.1 million tonnes of soybeans in the first five months of 2026.
Meanwhile, AHDB’s survey revealed a massive 49% increase in oilseed rape planting in Great Britain, although still behind the area grown in 2023.
In Ukraine, the domestic market for new crop rapeseed is strengthening significantly as processors actively seek alternative raw materials due to a limited supply of sunflower seeds.
Paris rapeseed futures made steady gains through the first part of the week, the August 2026 contract finishing Wednesday at €528.00 (£455.28). Further improvement took the contract to €528.50 (£455.98) by Thursday’s close.
Wanted Crop
🌾 Group 1, 2 or 4 (hard) wheat (10.2/74/130) is wanted for collection in Yorkshire and the Humber for June movement, with a guide price of £188–190/t ex-farm.
🫘 Beans required for collection in the North West, West Midlands and across Wales. June or July movement, with a guide price of £240–250/t ex-farm.
🌾 Feed barley is wanted for collection in the North West, West Midlands and Wales. Movement to a Shropshire home in June or July, with a guide price of £169–174/t ex-farm.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. 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.