Grain prices have had a choppy ride in recent weeks.

After both upward and downward swings, new-crop prices are now broadly similar to two weeks ago.

While markets remain very volatile, native November wheat is priced around €225/t to €230/t this week, the highest seen for a long time.

November barley is also higher at €210 to €215/t, depending on the market on the day.

These and previous prices have encouraged a level of forward selling which must be welcomed as growers lock into price levels that make sense.

While no one knows if these price levels will rise further or weaken, it is good business to lock a small proportion of grain in at these prices in case they drift lower again.

Oilseed rape

The situation with oilseed rape has been even more dramatic, with the August MATIF futures price closing on Tuesday at €543.25/t.

This might equate to a farmgate dry price of around €510/t for this coming August.

It is also worth noting that the August 2022 MATIF oilseed rape price closed on Tuesday at €446.50/t.

This price is also worth considering as it would equate to around €420/t in a market that would normally be priced at less than €390/t.