Weather continues to be a significant factor in grain market volatility. December MATIF wheat has slipped, helped by the news that French export forecasts are down.

South America continues to be watched closely by markets in the knowledge that maize production in Argentina will be down and this is adding to interest in the Brazilian crop.

Rain in the southern US plains has eased the pressure on winter wheat prospects. It will still be a poor crop, but it could have been worse if it did not get this rain. Cold is now an additional concern in these regions. Planting of spring crops is also being delayed.

Native prices continue flat, while demand for feed continues to be strong. Wheat to the trade continues around €180 to €184/t, with buyer prices higher.

Barley is now very scarce, so prices are difficult. It is still probably above €190/t for those who have it to sell, but some buyers are moving to alternatives. New-crop sentiment is even more difficult to assess, as international prices trend closer to wheat than normal.

UK prices, as reported by AHDB, were generally up last week with delivered wheat stated at £150/t in east Anglia, £160/t in Yorkshire and £162.50/t in central Scotland. However, rape price fell to £297.50/t due to a general weakening in the European rape market. The average ex-farm wheat price was put at £147.80/t, with barley at £142.10/t.