Matif wheat for December hit a new low on Tuesday night (2 September) when it fell to €190/t.

It had closed last week at €194/t after a slight recovery, but fell from Monday. French maize, UK wheat and Chicago wheat also fell.

Agritel reported that Australian wheat production for 2025/2026 was estimated up by 3.165 million tonnes from the previous estimate in June, bringing it to 33.765 million tonnes.

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Barley production is estimated up from 13.27 million tonnes last year to an estimate of 14.55 million tonnes this year.

Canola or oilseed rape production is estimated to be similar to last year.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) reported Russian “wheat output is projected at a record 86 Mt (IKAR), with exports forecast at 43 Mt.”

It was also noted that yields remain strong and that the export tax has not slowed shipments.

The AHDB also reported that the harvest in Ukraine was nearly complete on 30 August.

“Central and western areas outperformed expectations, but drought cut eastern yields. Exports remain constrained by limited Danube capacity and rail congestion,” according to the AHDB.

In South America, Brazil’s second maize harvest is reported to be nearly complete and could hit records.

Malting barley

We estimate that the Boortmalt malting barley average is currently at around €225/t, with a number of weeks to go in the averaging process to land at the final price.

This, of course, is subject to Boortmalt’s €10/t charge, which was outlined as a parity charge at a meeting in March of this year. So, at present, that brings the malting barley price to about €215/t.

Distilling barley carries a premium of €10/t, bringing that price back up to about €225/t.

This price is not the official price, it is simply an indication and merchants may manage prices differently.

As farmers plan ahead for the 2026 season, they need to enquire with merchants whether there will be an end market for malting barley.

If there is not going to be, then they need to be looking at alternative crops and better spring barley varieties that can yield higher than some of those being grown for malting.

When asked about demand for the 2026 season this week, Boortmalt told the Irish Farmers Journal: “Boortmalt is conscious of the current timing for growers. We have spoken to many of our merchants recently and are outlining indications to them, given the current context.”