Northern Ireland weekly market report - 3 March 2025

3 March 2025

Grains

The May-25 UK feed wheat futures closed below the recent support level (£186/t) for two consecutive weeks. Therefore, the previous support and resistance levels no longer held. With the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at the oversold level, prices may now find support around £178/t.

Market drivers

Old crop (May-25) UK feed wheat futures reached a new low on Thursday, finishing the week at £178.50/t on Friday, down £6.05/t from the previous week. The new crop (Nov-25) contract also fell, losing £4.25/t to settle at £192.85/t on Friday.

The UK market faced pressure as global wheat futures declined, driven by easing weather concerns in key producing regions, uncertainty over US import tariffs on Mexico and Canada, and lacklustre demand. Chicago wheat and Paris milling wheat futures (May-25) dropped by 8.0% and 2.8%, respectively.

Winter crops in the US and Russia were reported last week to have withstood a period of cold weather without significant frost damage, while rain forecasts in Argentina provided relief to the maize crop (LSEG).

With the 04 March deadline for the US 25% import tariffs on Canada and Mexico approaching, uncertainty remains over whether they will take effect or be extended. If implemented, retaliation could impact trade over the coming days.

US net export sales of wheat were reported at 269 Kt by the USDA for the week ending 20 February, down 50% on the week and below the trade estimate range of 300 Kt – 600 Kt. Net export sales of maize also fell to 795 Kt, below the trade estimate range of 900 Kt – 1.7 Mt.

The USDA predicted last week that US farmers will favour maize over soybeans for the 2025/26 season. Maize planted area is projected to rise by 3.8% in 2025. Wheat planted area is expected to grow by 2.0% year-on-year. Ending stocks for both crops are set to rise, with maize seeing a larger increase.

Potential bullish factors to watch this week include a decline in French wheat crop condition, with 73% of soft wheat rated in good or excellent condition by February 24, down from 74% the previous week (FranceAgrimer). The EU Commission revised its 2024/25 soft wheat production estimate for the EU to 111.8 Mt, slightly down from 111.9 Mt. Also, IKAR has reduced Russia’s wheat production in 2025 and export in 2024/25 season estimates by 1.0 Mt and 500 Kt, respectively.

Futures prices are indicative, and not representative of physical trading values.

Rapeseed

May-25 Paris rapeseed futures traded higher than the 20-day moving average last week. The Relative Strength Index shows that the market continues to look for further direction of price movement.

Market drivers

May-25 Paris rapeseed futures closed at £440.09/t on Friday, up £1.26/t on the week. New crop (Nov-25) futures finished on Friday at £412.83/t, down £1.59/t.

Winnipeg canola futures (May-25) fell by 4.2% over the last week (Friday to Friday). Canola crushing in Canada is still at a higher level than last year. However, US import tariffs on Canadian goods, particularly canola oil and meal limited any attempts to push prices higher.

Strategie Grains on Friday showed an unchanged EU forecast for rapeseed production in 2025/26 at 19.0 Mt, up 13% from 2024/25 due to favourable crop conditions. In Ukraine, new crop rapeseed is affected by drought in some southern regions and is forecast to be smaller than this season’s crop.

Declining crushing of rapeseed and sunflower in the 2024/25 season in the EU could be partly offset by rising soyabeans crush. Rumours of import tariffs to be imposed by the US on EU goods could lead to trade conflict, and as such impact trading relationships. With US soyabeans accounting for more than 50% of total EU soyabean imports in the current season, this will remain a key factor to watch.

May-25 Chicago soyabeans and soyabean oil futures decreased by 3.0% and 7.0% respectively (Friday-Friday). The USDA forecast soybean planting area 3.6% lower than last year due to a larger maize area. US soyabean crush estimates for January 2025 are higher than for January last year.

US tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods could start on 4 March. The tariffs could lead to an increase in US crude oil import prices, as supply from Canada and Mexico may be reduced. This could support soyabean crush in the US. On the other hand, US import tariffs on Chinese goods are weighing on Chicago soybean futures.

Weather in South America, reduced palm oil purchases by India, and increased soyabean oil purchases also continue to influence the global oilseed market.