Grain prices have held onto recent gains, with various pressures influencing markets. November 26 UK feed wheat futures sit at £190.25/t.
Part of this is down to the US drought, which US meteorologists say for some states could be the worst for decades. In its last crop progress report, the USDA suggests it could be the lowest wheat yield since 1972 at 1.561 billion bushels, down from 1.985 billion in 2025/26.
“The May USDA crop progress report cited the wheat area in some states at ear emergence above 90%,” says AHDB senior analyst Helen Plant. “It’s too late for them now with harvest underway.”
But traders remain uneasy over geopolitical volatility and still a lack of detail on US – China trade talks.
Traders are also expecting a significant maize crop from Brazil. Last month’s USDA forecast this to be 136 million tonnes but Helen notes the numbers coming out of Brazil are even higher.
Paris oilseed futures fell back slightly, the Nov 26 contract at €519.25/t. In part, this is due to the fall in Brent Crude, currently trading at below $90/barrel.
