Soft wheat prices changed little, despite a more active export market
The price of soft wheat delivered Rouen, its benchmark location on the French physical market, stood at 19 October 2026 at 242,50 €/t for the October–December period, up 0,50 €/t from 12 October 2026, following Euronext (+ 0,25 €/t, at 243,50 €/t for the December 2026 delivery). The CBOT futures contract, meanwhile, continued to fall (- 17 cts$/bushel to 655,25 cts$/bushel for the December 2026 delivery). Export difficulties from Black Sea ports boosted activity at French and northern EU ports. According to Céré’Obs, in week 41 (from 6 to 12 October 2026), soft wheat sowing rose from 4% to 15% of the estimated area (compared with 24% last year at the same time).
Durum wheat prices gained ground, supported by potential demand
The price of durum wheat delivered Port-La-Nouvelle, its benchmark location on the French physical market, stood at 19 October 2026 at 305 €/t for the October–December period, rising by 10 €/t from 12 October 2026. The durum wheat market remains quiet. Discussions are taking place in Port-la-Nouvelle, supporting quotations.
Feed barley prices lost ground in a well-supplied market
Feed barley delivered Rouen, its benchmark location on the French physical market, stood on 19 October 2026 at 217,50 €/t for the October-December 2026 period, down 11 €/t from 12 October 2026. However, animal feed manufacturers have already covered their needs for the coming months, and buyers are not rushing to the gate… According to Céré’Obs, in week 41 (from 6 to 12 October 2026), winter barley sowing rose from 7% to 20% of the estimated area (compared with 40% at the same dates last year).
Malting barley prices continue to rise, supported by export demand
Malting barley prices FOB Creil, their benchmark location on the French physical market, rose to 220,50 €/t for Faro (winter variety) and 239 €/t for Planet (spring variety) on 19 October 2026, for the January-June 2027 period, gaining 1,50 €/t and 1 €/t respectively from 12 October 2026. Modest demand is reported at the port of Rouen for export to overseas markets.
Corn prices rose on Eurnext
Corn delivered Bordeaux, its benchmark position on the French physical market, was not quoted as of October 19 2026. The Pontivy-Guingamp price was 216 €/t on October 19 2026 for October-December 2026, down 5,50 €/t compared with October 12 2026, following the CBOT (- 16 cts$/bushel to 467 cts$/bushel for the December 2026 contract. On Euronext, prices rose (+ 15,75 €/t to 292,75 €/t for the November 2026 contract). The USDA lowered its estimate for EU production. France’s production estimate was revised to 7,3 Mt by Agreste. According to Céré’Obs, in week 41 (from 6 to 12 October 2026), the French maize harvest was 92 % complete (compared with 84 % the previous week and 53 % at the same time last year).
Straw and forage prices unchanged
Wheat and barley straw, the 2026 harvest for delivery from the Northeast remains quoted at between 80 €/t and 100 €/t and between 70 €/t and 90 €/t, respectively, in the week from 7 to 14 October 2026. Straw prices are unchanged week on week, but demand pressure persists as supply becomes increasingly scarce. Livestock farmers are looking for straw to supplement hay, which is in limited supply. In an extreme case, straw could be used as an alternative to hay, supplemented with compound feed.
In France, hay prices sometimes reach incomprehensible levels. Prices approaching 500 €/t for round bales of meadow hay have been reported in France. In the longer term, there is a very real risk that there will not be enough goods available to meet all demand. French animal feed manufacturers are importing hay pellets from Italy to make up for the forage shortage.
Crau hay prices on the French physical market (commercial quotations) were unchanged week on week. The same was true for the Comité du foin de Crau. Prices stand at between 250 €/t and 260 €/t. According to the trade association, yields are generally poor. Despite irrigation, the meadows struggled to grow in the intense heat. However, the harvested hay is of good quality.
This article was written by the specialist journalists of La Dépêche-Le Petit Meunier, which has supported grain-trade operators since 1938.
