Wheat lacks momentum ahead of US WASDE report

Feed Wheat

UK planting intentions indicate a slight rise of 1% in wheat for 2026, to 1,675 Kha. Meanwhile, Black Sea and Argentine exports are keeping a lid on UK wheat prices. All eyes are now on Friday’s WASDE report, the first since the US government shutdown, to give us a clearer picture of US and global supply.

While London feed wheat (November 2025) has recovered from its contract low of £159.25 on 23 October, it has failed to make significant headway this week, closing Thursday at £166.60.

In light of this, many farmers have turned to selling forward on Hectare Trading to achieve better prices for this year’s crop. Feed wheat received offers up to £182 in the South West for February 2026 movement, with an offer range of £4. Similarly, in Central Scotland, £182 was achieved for movement next June, with a £2 offer range.

Milling Wheat

While milling premiums remain tight in the UK, Paris milling wheat (December 2025) has drifted through the week, easing back from last week’s close of €191.50 (£168.73) to €189.25 (£166.93) by Thursday’s end.

On Hectare Trading, group 1 wheat received £178 in the South East, moving next April, while group 2 wheat achieved £184 in Yorkshire and the Humber, for June 2026 movement.

In the other milling classes, group 3 wheat achieved offers up to £170 in the East Midlands for movement this month, with an offer range of £2; group 4 (soft) wheat gained £177.50 in Yorkshire and the Humber for December movement, with a £1.50 offer range; and group 4 (hard) wheat received offers up to £180 for spot movement in the West Midlands, with an offer range of £7.

Oilseeds

The UK’s area for oilseed rape is forecast to rise 30% to 316 Kha, benefiting from a less challenging market environment and optimism due to this year’s yields. Meanwhile, Paris rapeseed recovered well on Thursday, closing at €482.75 (£426.04).

OSR achieved £409.50 on Hectare Trading, for movement next March in Northumberland & Scottish Borders.

Other crop

The challenging year for UK barley growers has limited planting intentions for harvest 2026, while the area for oats is expected to fall 14% to 170 Kha.

In the South West, we saw £162 offered for feed barley, moving next February, while feed oats achieved £122 in Yorkshire and the Humber, also moving in February.

Feed peas gained £200 for January 2026 movement in East Anglia. We also saw £192 offered for grain maize in Yorkshire and the Humber, for movement in April 2026.

Wanted Crop

🌾 203t of winter feed barley is wanted for collection from Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire or Monmouthshire. £155-165/t ex-farm for January/February/March 2026 movement.

🌾 116t of feed winter oats required for collection from Shropshire, the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire or Powys. £115-125/t ex-farm for movement from November 2025 to February 2026.

🌾 232t of group 4 (soft) winter wheat wanted for collection from Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Lincolnshire or Yorkshire. November movement for a Yorkshire home. Price on application.

🌾 116t of feed barley required for collection from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk, at £155-165/t ex-farm for December 2025 movement.