Return of the drop in cereal prices

THE prices of soft wheat, durum wheat, feed barley and corn fell on the French physical market between November 18 and 25.

Fall in soft wheat prices

Soft wheat prices on Euronext and the French physical market lost ground between November 18 and 25. Russian farmers are expected to reduce their rotations this year, due to the setbacks suffered last year, to turn to more profitable crops. The Russian authorities could revise their export quotas significantly downwards in the first half of 2025 compared to last year. In France, sowing of soft winter wheat increased during the week ending November 18, going from 78% to 90% (compared to 73% in 2023 at the same time), according to Céré'Obs. Cultivation conditions have stabilized, at 88% (compared to 83% in 2023 at the same time.

Fall in durum wheat prices

THE price of durum wheat on the French physical market declined between November 18 and 25. Italian interest is still reported, but the offer is rare. In France, sowing of durum wheat began during the week ending November 18, increasing from 32% to 52% (compared to 19% in 2023 at the same time), according to Céré'Obs.

Falling quotations for milling barley

THE feed barley price on the French physical market fell between November 18 and 25. Port premiums are firm, taking into account small buyer interest. On the interior, the main information is the strong Italian demand. In France, winter barley sowings increased during the week ending November 18, going from 89% to 96% (compared to 85% in 2023 at the same time), according to Céré'Obs. Cultivation conditions have stabilized, at 84% (compared to 85% in 2023 at the same time.

Corn prices down

THE corn price on the French physical market fell between November 18 and 25, in the wake of Euronext and CBOT. In France, reports of yields remain satisfactory, reassuring buyers about the available supply. Future US President Donald Trump has announced that he will impose tariffs of 25% on Mexican and Canadian imports. Mexico is a major buyer of US corn. According to Céré'Obs, corn growing conditions deteriorated during the week ending November 18, losing one point to 76% (compared to 82% in 2023 at the same time). Harvests are progressing, going from 71% to 82% (compared to 97% in 2023).

Good growing conditions in Europe

JRC Mars published, on November 25, an update of its monthly bulletin on growing conditions in Europe. In France, rainy conditions hampered sowing until at least mid-October and, despite improvement thereafter, some plots are expected to need re-seeding, particularly in clay soils. Conditions were more suitable in Germany and Poland, allowing sowing in good conditions but very early. Certain development stages reached in Germany cause fears of potential frost episodes. There are some parasitic pressures in Poland. In central and south-eastern Europe, sowing was carried out at the beginning of September while the north-west of the continent, the south-east of Bulgaria and the south of Romania suffer from a water deficit. Early-sown rapeseeds in the Czech Republic are in good shape but those sown later are late due to the cold.