The price of soft wheat delivered to Rouen, its benchmark location on the French physical market, rose between 30 September and 7 October 2026: + 8,50 €/t, to 243 €/t for the October–December period, following the European futures market Euronext (+ 8,25 €/t to 244,25 €/t for the December 2026 contract and + 7,50 €/t to 246,50 €/t for the March 2027 contract). On the CBOT, prices also closed higher: + 10,75 cts$/bushel at 686,50 cts$/bushel for the December 2026 contract and + 10,25 cts$/bushel at 701 cts$/bushel for the March 2027 contract.
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On the French physical market, soft wheat prices are all up this week. The limited rainfall has made it possible to move forward with wheat sowing. Farmers are already heavily committed to the current crop year.
At the ports, premiums are holding steady and some demand remains in Rouen and La Pallice, particularly for very high-protein wheat at 12,5% protein, but activity remains limited. Among our European neighbours, buyer interest from Belgian importers is reported for the beginning of 2027. The Netherlands, however, are absent. Italy and Spain prefer to source from Eastern European countries and do not buy French goods, which are considered too expensive.
On the domestic market, animal feed manufacturers are already largely committed for October–December, although some additional purchases are still being made. Demand is, however, very strong for January–March. Processors anticipate high requirements from livestock farmers once the animals have been brought indoors, as it will hardly be possible to rely on this summer’s meagre hay harvest. In addition, they are getting used to the idea of using more wheat and barley in their formulations following the disastrous harvest in corn. The French milling sector is already relatively well covered, and activity is routine. Buying interest from the starch industry is limited, whereas interest from the ethanol industry is strong.
River freight: cargo clearances at the port of Rouen are proceeding only in dribs and drabs
The base prices for river freight in France are provided for information purposes only for the week of 23 to 30 September 2026, in the absence of transport offers.
The levels of the Moselle and the Rhine are falling day by day, making navigation increasingly difficult. No improvement is in sight for now, as replenishing rains are still awaited. Operators describe the situation as “catastrophic.”
The Danube is in the same situation, with water levels ranging from “very low” upstream to “too low for navigation” downstream, hindering intra-European freight transport.
In the Seine basin, activity serving the grain terminals at the Port of Rouen (Sénalia, Socomac and BZ) depends on the loading schedules of ships that call at the port and on whether the port silos accept goods for reception. It is chaotic, with no visibility over the medium or long term.
Intra-community activity is sluggish, which is beginning to cause concern at this time of year.
The editorial team
Corn
The spread between the November and March delivery months is preventing sellers and buyers from reaching an agreement
The price of corn delivered to Bordeaux, its benchmark location on the French physical market, rose by 16,50 €/t to 285 €/t over the October–December 2027 period, between 30 September and 7 October 2026. On Euronext, it rose from 11,75 €/t to 276 €/t for the November 2026 delivery month. On the CBOT, the futures contract edged up from 1,25 ct$/bushel to 502 cts$/bushel for the December 2026 delivery month. Tight availability in Europe, questions about which origins could supply the EU, and the USDA’s downward revision of its corn crop condition ratings during the harvest pushed prices higher. Market participants are increasingly pessimistic about French production, with some now forecasting 6 Mt. Significant volumes of imported corn are therefore expected, probably from Poland and Romania. There is also a risk ofmycotoxins in Brazilian corn.
Corn prices for Euronext’s November delivery month are well above those for November, so many farmers want to sell on this basis. The period of holding back sales is coming to an end, but industrial buyers have already covered their needs for October–December and are now focusing on January–March. The premium does not yet offset the spread enough for buyers and sellers to reach an agreement. Trading activity at port locations is, of course, nonexistent. However, some volumes of waxy corn are being shipped from Bordeaux and La Pallice.
Feed barley
Too expensive to attract demand
French barley prices rose on the French physical market, following the futures market. The drop in the premium at port locations has not yet been enough to attract demand. Belgian feed manufacturers are buying in northern France, although their demand is easing as foreign vessels arrive at the ports of Bruges and Ghent. Some additional purchases have been made on the domestic market.
Brewing barley
Demand supports prices
Brewing barley prices have gained ground across all varieties and harvests, with more buyers than sellers. Demand is present for spring malting barley.
Durum wheat
Little activity
Sellers are in no hurry and are waiting for more favorable prices. The market is questioning the quality of Canadian grain. Exporters from that country could lower their prices accordingly and flood the European market at low cost. Buyers are still looking for volumes but are not prepared to pay above the market price.
Secondary cereals
The triticale market is waking up
The market has paid little attention to oats this week. However, deals are being made in the Ardennes for black oats and white oats at 200 €/t. Delivered Pontivy, mixed-colour oats are at 240 €/t.
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The triticale market is more active, with quotations available in Centre, Massif Central and Grand Est. Prices range from 215 €/t in Allier to 235 €/t delivered to Pontivy.
Rye is still unquoted due to a lack of availability and a conventional market.
Sugar
Sugar prices rise this week on international markets
The price of raw sugar quoted in New York rose sharply, by 1,95 ct$/pound for the week from 28 September to 5 October 2026, rising from 18,01 cts$/pound to 19,96 cts$/pound. The price of refined sugar quoted in London also jumped, more markedly: + 45,80 $/t, to 556,10 $/t.
Rainfall in Brazil, particularly in the Centre-South region, has revived concerns about a possible decline in sugar cane production and, consequently, sugar supply, while also slowing processing activity. In addition, the Brazilian currency, the real, rose sharply against the US dollar at the beginning of the week, discouraging sugar export activity. Overall, market participants still expect a supply deficit relative to demand in 2023/2027, especially as Thailand, the world's second-largest sugar exporter, announced a possible 17% decrease in production compared with last year. The forecast strength of the EL Nino weather phenomenon is raising fears of either excessive drought or excessive rainfall, depending on the regions affected and producing crops.
Editorial team
To watch
Soft wheat
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USDA publication of the Wasde report on global agricultural supply and demand on 9 October.
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Conditions for winter sowing in France.
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Port demand for protein wheat.
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International Grains Council monthly report on cereals, on 15 October.
Corn
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USDA forecast for the U.S. corn harvest, due on 9 October.
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Estimate of cereal areas and production for the 2025-2026 crop year, by Agreste, on 13 October.
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Logistics for the arrival of Eastern European corn in France.
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Quality of Brazilian corn.
Barley
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Lower port premium and international demand?
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International competition in the Belgian market.
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Will the recovery in demand for malting barley last?
Adèle d'Humières
