Northern Ireland weekly market report - 10 February 2025

10 February 2025

Grains

UK feed wheat futures (May-25)

The global wheat market was supported last week mainly due to weather concerns in the Northern Hemisphere, firming export demand in the US, and Chicago wheat speculators short covering position.

Market drivers

UK feed wheat futures (May-25) gained £1.15/t over the week (Friday-Friday) to close at £189.65/t. The Nov-25 contract gained £2.30/t, settling at £195.95/t. Domestic prices followed global market movement. Chicago wheat futures and Paris milling wheat futures (May-25) were up 4.1% and 1.7% respectively over the week (Friday-Friday).

Weather concerns continue in the Black Sea region, following lower soil moisture in the autumn, unfavourable snow cover over the winter, and now abnormally low temperatures forecast over the coming weeks. Consultancy firm IKAR revised down their 2024/25 Russian wheat export estimate by 0.5 Mt this morning, now at 43 Mt.

In France, export demand for feed wheat increased, but milling wheat export sales remained low (LSEG), and despite rises in the price of Black Sea grain, western European wheat generally lacks competitiveness.

The USDA export sales report for the week ending 30 January, showed net wheat export sales near the top of trade estimates at 438.9 Kt, up 41% from the previous four week average. For maize, the report showed net export sales near the top of trade estimates at 1.48 Mt up 32% from the prior four week average. The top buyers were Mexico (251.7 Kt) Japan (214.0 Kt), and South Korea (210.0 Kt).

Chicago maize futures (May-25) closed last Friday below the strong technical resistance level of $5/bushel ($196.84/t), which could limit further gains in the near term. For maize to break above the strong resistance, additional drivers are needed, such as Chinese buying activity or a lower than estimated USDA WASDE (11 February) global ending stocks figure.

Chicago maize speculators increased their net long position to a four- year high with future and options contracts at 364 217 as of 04 February.

Maize prices are also under pressure from the low soybean/maize price ratio, which could encourage a larger US maize area for 2025.

Rapeseed

Paris rapeseed futures in £/t (May-25)

Temporary suspension of US tariffs on Mexico and Canada, weather risks in South America, as well as reduced canola stocks in Canada provided support on the week. However, heavy Brazilian soyabean supplies and likely rains in drought-hit areas in Argentina could limit price gains.

Market drivers

Old crop (May-25) Paris rapeseed futures ended the week at €516.50/t, up €1.00/t from the previous Friday. The Nov-25 contract saw greater gains, up €2.75/t on the week, ending Friday’s session at €489.50/t.

Paris rapeseed followed both Chicago soybean and Winnipeg canola futures up on the week (Friday-Friday), gaining 0.8% and 3.0% respectively. Support in price came from the 30-day suspension of US tariffs on Mexico and Canada, as well as weather risks for South American crops, including drought in Argentina and excess rain in Brazil.

The 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada into the US were delayed for 30 days, causing prices to rebound after the prior week’s drop. However, the 10% tariffs on China are still in place, and China has imposed new tariffs on US goods.

Rain in Argentina has helped soyabean crops in the central region, according to the Rosario Grains Exchange. However, more rain this week is needed to improve the condition of crops in the country. The Buenos Aires Grains Exchange predicts a soybean harvest of 49.6 Mt in 2024/25, 2.4 Mt below the USDA’s forecast of 52.0 Mt.

Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry reports soybean exports in January reached 1.07 Mt, down from 2.85 Mt last year. The soybean harvest in Brazil has been slow due to heavy rains, but the country is still expected to produce a record crop this year.

The Statistics Canada stock report on 7 February shows a 19.2% year-on-year decline in canola (rapeseed) stocks, driven by higher exports and domestic demand. Canada’s rapeseed exports pace is currently above the three-year average.