Grain Council Report July 2026

Market Report 

Since the last report, markets have seen very significant volatility, notably in the mid to late July period. Geopolitical developments in the Black Sea with Russian and Ukrainian attacks on port infrastructure has caused a significant spike in prices. Flows through the Sea of Azov were disrupted by Ukraine; this channel is responsible for 25% of Russian wheat exports. Russia responded with attacks on the key Black Sea ports. MATIF wheat futures for Dec-26 jumped from €221 to €234/t on July 15^th. Prices for this contract peaked at €247/t on July 22^nd, the highest since May 2024.However, prices dropped back sharply by €13-14/t  to €230/t on Friday July 24^th in response to news of dialogue between the two countries in respect of maintaining grain export flows. The European heatwave is also offering a degree of support to prices outside of geopolitical risk. The EU maize and sunflower crops have been heavily affected the high temperatures. The EU maize crop could be the lowest production since 2007 at 52MMT, just 38% of the French maize crop is in good condition. French wheat production is also seen as lower than anticipated, with a national yield of 6.67t/ha, which equates 7.6% lower production than in 2025. Most recent native grain price offers from Tirlan are €198/t for green barley and €208/t for green wheat. 

Sector Update

Harvest of winter barley commenced in early July with the onset of hot and dry weather conditions. Reports suggest that yields have been mixed with yields in a general range of 3-3.6t/ac for 2^nd or continuous cereal slots. Crops grown after break crops such as oats or beans are reported to have yielded better at either side of 4t/ac. Moistures levels in all cases have been very low with kph/bushel weights described as acceptable to good. 

Winter oats have been cut exceptionally early, yields are reported as generally satisfactory at between 3.5-4t/ac at low moistures. Some winter wheat and spring barley crops have been harvested in earlier inland and coastal areas which is almost three weeks ahead of schedule. The bulk of the spring barley and winter wheat harvest is expected to take place in early August.  

Activity since last National Council 

• The National Grain Committee met in the Farm Centre on June 9^th.
• National Grain Chair John Murphy, Grain Vice Chair James Hill met with Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon TD to discuss the Straw Incorporation Measure in Agriculture House on June 24^th.
• National Grain Chair John Murphy, Policy Executives Max Potterton and Noel Banville and IFA Director of European Affairs Liam MacHale met with Justyna Wrobel from the combinable crops division of DG Agri in Brussels on July 2^nd.
• National Grain Chair John Murphy, Policy Executives Max Potterton and Noel Banville attended the COPA Cogeca Cereals and Oilseeds Working Party in Brussels on July 3^rd. 
• The IFA attended the Tillage Industry Ireland AGM in Teagasc, Oakpark on July 7^th.

Upcoming Activities 

• The IFA will meet with management from the Malting Company of Ireland in Cork on Thursday 30^th July.
• The IFA will prepare a submission for the consultation on the Irish Whiskey Technical File