Grain Council Report July 2025

Policy proposals for approval by National Council

None for this month

Market Report 

Global grain markets remain bearish with no significant supporting factors at present. The European harvest has commenced earlier than normal due to June heatwave conditions. Indications from France, the largest EU producer, are for variable but generally good yields for winter barley, oilseed rape with no quality issues. Early indications on winter wheat are of a similar sentiment. Harvest pressure is affecting MATIF wheat futures, Dec-25 futures have dropped as low as €205.75/t the lowest price for the contract since January 2023. Currency factors remain a significant feature in the market, with euro/dollar exchange rate making EU exports uncompetitive. The euro/dollar rate is currently around €1/$1.18 which is the highest since October 2021. Closer to home, some winter barley crops have been harvested in the first days of July, early reports are for satisfactory yields and quality. 

At the time of writing, indications for native prices remain at €180-€185/t for green barley with green wheat at €190-€195/t. 

Activity since last National Council

National Grain Chairman Kieran McEvoy and/or Grain Policy Executive Max Potterton attended the following meetings; 

• Tillage Industry Ireland AGM in Newbridge. 
• IFA had a stand at the Teagasc/Farmers Journal, Crops and Technology Event in Oakpark, Co. Carlow
• An online meeting was held with Barry O’Reilly and Joseph McNamara from DAFM to discuss progress on the actions of the Food Vision Tillage Report.
• Guest speakers at regional grain meetings for Carlow/Kilkenny and Wexford IFA. 

EU/COPA developments

• Policy executives Max Potterton and Noel Banville participated in the COPA COGECA Cereals and Oilseeds working party online and in-person on July 4^th.

Upcoming Activities

• The National Grain Chairman and members of the National Grain Committee will meet with public representatives in the main tillage counties to lobby on the IFA asks within the pre-budget submission.