The prices for soft wheat, durum wheat and feed barley gained ground on the French cash market between 26 October and 2 November 2026. Those for corn and malting barley fell over the week.
Soft wheat prices rose, driven by strong port activity
The price of soft wheat delivered Rouen, its benchmark location on the French physical market, stood on 2 November 2026 at 227,50 €/t for the November-December period, gaining 2,50 €/t compared with 26 October 2026, following Euronext (+ 1,75 €/t, at 228,25 €/t for the December 2026 contract). The CBOT futures contract, meanwhile, fell (- 9,50 cts$/bushel to 606,50 cts$/bushel for the December 2026 contract). Port activity is substantial, with marked demand for high-protein wheat (12,5 %). According to Céré’Obs, in week 43 (from 20 to 26 October 2026), soft wheat sowing increased from 45 % to 62 % of the estimated area (compared with 67 % at the same time last year).
Durum wheat prices gained ground, following soft wheat
The price of durum wheat delivered Port-La-Nouvelle, its benchmark location on the French physical market, stood on 2 November 2026 at 310 €/t for the October-December period, rising by 2,50 €/t compared with 26 October 2026. This followed soft wheat in a quiet market. According to Céré’Obs, in week 43 (from 20 to 26 October 2026), durum wheat sowing increased from 2 % to 4 % of the estimated area (compared with 9 % at the same time last year).
Feed barley prices gained ground due to sustained demand
Feed barley delivered Rouen, its benchmark location on the French physical market, stood on 2 November 2026 at 209 €/t for the November-December 2026 period, gaining 8,50 €/t compared with 26 October 2026. Activity is quiet despite sustained demand. According to Céré’Obs, in week 43 (from 20 to 26 October 2026), winter barley sowing increased from 55 % to 71 % of the estimated area (compared with 74 % at the same time last year).
Brewers’ barley prices decline, prompting buyer interest
Brewers’ barley prices FOB Creil, their benchmark location on the French physical market, fell to 214,50 €/t for Faro (winter variety) and 237 €/t for Planet (spring variety) for the January–June 2027 period on 26 November 2026, down 6,50 €/t and 6 €/t respectively compared with 26 October 2026. A few small contracts have been reported for both varieties and harvests. The volatility of the milling wheat contract on the European futures market, which is reflected in the brewers’ barley quotation, is making business more difficult.
French corn quotations fell amid competition from Argentina
Corn delivered Bordeaux, its benchmark location on the French physical market, stood at 258,50 €/t for January–March 2026 on 2 November 2026, down 9,50 €/t compared with 26 October 2026, following Euronext (down 8,50 €/t to 256,25 €/t for the March 2026 contract) and CBOT (down 6,75 cts$/bushel to 448,25 cts$/bushel for the December 2026 contract). Argentina is highly active in export markets, partly making up for volumes unable to leave the Black Sea region. According to Céré’Obs, in week 41 (from 6 to 12 October 2026), 99% of the French corn harvest had been completed (compared with 97% the previous week and 81% at the same time last year).
Straw and fodder prices have remained unchanged in a very firm market
On the French physical market, straw and fodder quotations remained unchanged between 21 and 28 October 2026. On the French physical market, prices for wheat straw, ex-North-East range between 75 €/t and 85 €/t. For barley straw, prices ex-North-East stand between 75 €/t and 85 €/t. In the north-east of France, the export market is quiet, but some limited demand is reported on the domestic market. Crau hay prices on the French physical market stand at 200 €/t for the first cut and 240 €/t for the second cut. The board of directors of the Comité du foin de Crau decided to freeze its quotations (between 250 €/t and 260 €/t depending on the cut and bale size).
This article was written by the specialist journalists at La Dépêche-Le Petit Meunier, which has been supporting grain trade operators since 1938.
