Orion Farming Group Weekly Straights Update: 26th March 2026
- Orion Farming Group
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
The figures in the charts are an indication only and reflect levels traded on Wednesday.
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Another volatile week for meal, this was part a change of attitude for the trade that China are unlikely to buy another 8MMT of old crop US beans, unless they have more quality issues with Brazilian beans.
Since Trump stated that he’d held productive talks with Iran beans stayed supported a little as traders think that if the conflict improves, China and the US may have talks sooner regarding ag commodities.
There was a hike in meal prices late last week, this was initiated as it was rumoured Trump would no longer announce biofuel volumes and small refinery exemptions as originally planned for the end of this week.
Funds had been long of oil and so were selling oil and buying in meal instead.
Additionally there’s downtime at two US crush plants, which will likely keep the nearby meal market tighter.
Higher fertiliser prices created by the conflict may push more farmers to plant soybeans over maize, due to the lower fertiliser requirement for beans.
There was already expected to be a swing to more beans, but this may be further exaggerated.
A steadier week for rapemeal vs the soya market, seeing prices increase a little.
No change on nearby supplies with the market reliant on imported product so still seeing the big premiums.
Erith has still not reopened and is still importing into various ports to supply contracts.
Liverpool collections are getting booked up ahead of Easter, with alternative collection locations having been offered by Cargill.
Hull prices were dragged higher with the soya complex over the week.
The only potential downside needing to come from a significant easing in the Middle East conflict – which isn’t happening yet.
Prices continue to rise with maize and with the cost of production increasing, as the process uses a lot of energy to dry product.
Alongside the carbon credit system which has been incentivising plant not to dry as much product, the cost of energy will further encourage plants to send more out as part-dried or wet material, which can’t be exported.
With such a volatile market, shippers are offering even less in the way of product for the summer.
Demand is questionable but supply remains hard to come by, with no home produced or imported product offered for the summer, at present.
Supply looks likely to stay tight until new crop, but a big new crop is still not expected.
Grain prices were mixed through the week as futures were pulled higher and lower by events in the Middle East.
Barley remains tricky to come by as demand has been stronger over the winter, whilst wheat has been more plentiful.
Supply-wise Russian and Indian incoming crops are looking to be big, (Russia increasing their wheat crop by 1.7MMT to 87.6MMT), which seem to have put some caps on Chicago futures.
There was also some beneficial rains in the US, which have helped to calm drought concerns.
And finally, totally irrelevant but quite interesting facts of the week…….Mrs Beeton recommended boiling pasta for 1 ¾ hours and a ‘quarter pounder’ weighs less than a fifth of a pound when cooked.
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.
For firm prices and availability, please contact Joe Cobb on 01865 393 139
Currency Trends as of 04.02.26 Blue = GBP:USD. Red = GBP:EUR
