Orion Farming Group Weekly Straights Update: 19th August 2026
- Joe Cobb
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
The figures in the charts are an indication only and reflect levels traded on Wednesday.
There will not be a Weekly Straights Update next week.
Hipro Soya
Last week’s USDA WASDE report cut yields a little more than expected but managed to find some extra acreage which offset the losses on yield.
Whilst the report was fairly neutral to bullish the market has firmed a little due to continued Chinese buying over the past week.
South American farmers are still reluctant to sell, so while North American prices have firmed, typically this sees South American premiums reduce.
Crop tours have begun this week with mixed results, so there could be further cuts to yields in the next report depending on further tours and weather forecast outlooks.
Condition ratings have dropped back a little by 1%, now 7% behind last year..
Rapemeal
Prices tracked soya for the most part, with some increases towards the end of last week.
Aug/Oct pricing remains a premium over the winter due to availability issues across Europe, in particular getting OSR from Ukraine and moving seed within Europe due to low river levels.
This premium is not likely to improve unless there is significant rains across Europe and river levels improve, which doesn’t seem likely in the short term.
Erith rapemeal sits at 71% of soya prices nearby and 69% for the winter whilst Liverpool is 81% Aug/Oct and 76% for the winter.
There could be better days ahead when crushers want to lock into good margins but when this might happen is a guessing game and soya could also move higher.
Soya hulls
Due to the continuing drought conditions across the UK and Europe demand for fibres nearby continues.
Limited volumes of exportable hulls as both the US and Brazil have increased domestic demand.
Demand is looking to stay strong through the winter, especially with a smaller sugarbeet crop, so prices are unlikely to ease.
Distillers
US prices moved higher on the week tracking soya prices higher, though they continue to compete for demand against soya in rations.
European wheat distillers offers are still pricey, commanding a large premium over maize distillers due to lack of availability.
No further news on Ensus beyond October, being reliant on government support for Co2 production.
Sugarbeet
No change. Continued dry weather and a reduced acreage.
Prices are expected to be in the £290s on farm for winter.
Wheat/Barley
Markets remain well supported by the ongoing situation in the Black Sea.
There was some talk of a ceasefire in the Black Sea but once that was dismissed by Russia, prices climbed again.
Even if a ceasefire or a grain corridor was agreed, due to the damage to export facilities it would take months to get back to full capacity.
Ukraine grain export have dropped by 76% y-o-y for August, while Russia are at 10-15 year lows.
Slight reduction to US production and stocks as well as reductions to Black Sea exports, though there is a feeling that these reductions were underdone and a smaller figure is more realistic.
Global stocks remain comfortable keeping a cap on pricing, but it’s just the trade flows and an export ability that keeps a base in prices.
And finally, totally irrelevant but quite interesting facts of the week…
Spiders evolved 100 million years before flies and ten midges make a swarm.
Notes: All figures in this report are provided by KW and commentary by GLW Feeds.
Price indications are based on 29t bulk tipped loads delivered to Oxfordshire and are guide prices only.
