Arable Price Data

Organic Arable Prices

December 2023/January 2024

(Indicative crop prices, subject to remarks below)

Additional quality premiums on sample. Broad ex farm prices January collection, midland region

Prices serve as a guide only - actual prices will depend on volume, availability, quality and supply. Please note that in the current world situation, it is particularly difficult to give accurate price indications.

For a list of Soil Association certified organic grain merchants, please get in touch, quoting your name and producer membership/licensee number.

Market report

Courtesy of Simon Tubbs, Saxon Agriculture
www.saxon-agriculture.co.uk/organic/
Tel: 01760 726031 (Please contact us for specific prices for your region)

(7 December)

Markets have been fairly flat as the holiday season approaches, and most participants will now be focussing on first half 2024 prospects.

We have however seen some recent spot interest as cold (and wet again) weather increases feed demand, and we also feel that some consumers may have been over-cautious with their earlier sales forecasts and have had to top up as orders are received. Whilst any fresh business is good news, this demonstrates the nervous sentiment that is evident in agricultural markets generally, and is not confined to the premium Organic arena. My colleagues trading in the non-organic grain markets would confirm this viewpoint.

Wheat is still the most active commodity into Organic feed mills, but to be fair there is underlying interest also in barley and oats as well. We do still feel that any bids should always be considered whilst the opportunity is there as nearby sales opportunities are usually limited.

Quality milling and malting markets appear quiet, and buyers claim to have good cover to next summer. We will see.

Freight rates to the UK have been firming as winter weather makes for delay, and therefore additional expense to ship owners, but exchange rates have somewhat negated this, hence a stable price structure currently.

Collectively, importers retain good stocks of most raw materials, and this is also limiting the argument for significant price increases for early 2024.

We are of the opinion that prices will therefore be rangebound for the short/medium term given the above.

Any arising new feature, and there are potentially a number out there, can very quickly change sentiment, so do keep close to your trading partner.