The past week has once again seen international grain prices rise and fall on the back of concerns relating to Ukraine and to drought.

Drought concerns continue for the US wheat crop where 33% of the area is currently rated as being poor or very poor. Planting of maize there continues to be delayed by cold weather. Meanwhile rain in parts of the US and Europe may help dryness stressed crops.

Grain prices weakened in the past week as market drivers faded and supply pressure sentiment returned.

Spot wheat prices are at €215/t with barley at around €185 to €187/t. Last week some end users paid up to and above €195/t for good quality feed barley for pigs.

November wheat prices are back to €198 to €199/t to the trade. New crop barley is currently around €186/t to the trade.

On Wednesday of this week Glanbia offered €198/t for dry wheat for November and €186/t for barley. On the same day Dairygold offered growers €163/t for green wheat for harvest and €151/t for green barley.