The agreement on a trade deal between the EU and India could bring some positivity to grain markets, as it may help to increase whiskey demand.

Irish whiskey exports to India are currently subject to an import tariff of 150%. The new deal will see the tariff go to 40% after seven years.

India is the biggest whiskey market in the world, so the deal could be hugely positive and bring some good news to the malting barley sector, but there will be competition.

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Last June, the Irish Farmers Journal reported that a trade deal between the UK and India would see Scotch whiskey exports generate an extra £1bn over the next five years.

That agreement would see the tariff on whiskey from the UK reduce from 150% to 75% and to 40% over a 10-year period.

A stronger euro to the dollar probably contributed to the decline in the French wheat price this week.

The December price had closed on Friday 23 January at €202.50/t and by Tuesday closed at €200/t. On Tuesday evening, €1 was equal to $1.20.

There were also reports of competition from Black Sea wheat and Argentinian wheat.

French maize was down about €1.50/t since Friday to €194.25/t on Tuesday. Oilseed rape fell too. The November price closed at €462/t on Tuesday.

Wheat and maize were also down in the US. There’s cold weather there and reports are that some crops may not have enough snow cover to protect them, but only time will tell and in recent days reports suggest the weather is not affecting crops.

Overall, the weather picture does not look too bad across the Atlantic at present.

This week, Tirlán announced its trading bonus details for 2026, with changes for this y

ear. In order to get the maximum €10/t trading bonus each year, farmers have to spend a certain amount on inputs.

This year, fertiliser will be separated from other tillage inputs.

These inputs include chemicals, seed for grain, grass and cover crops, as well as crop packaging.

For other tillage inputs, a spend of €25/t to €39.99/t will get a €2.50/t bonus; a spend of €40/t to €79.99/t will get €5/t; an €80 spend or greater will receive €10/t.

The bonus rates on fertiliser are €2.50/t for a spend of €25/t to €39.99/t and €5/t for a spend of €40/t or greater.

NI prices

In Northern Ireland, prices for spot feed barley were up by £3/t into Belfast to £196.50/t, while feed wheat was £3/t higher.

With the wet weather you have time to think over possible contracts. Think about them carefully and the return they will give. See more on page 62.