Orion Farming Group Weekly Straights Update: 6th August 2026
- Joe Cobb
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
The figures in the charts are an indication only and reflect levels traded on Wednesday.
Hipro Soya
The improved forecasts for rains in the US helped push prices down at the end of last week, providing moisture at the critical pod filling stage which occurs through August.
Crop conditions held steady, whilst soil moisture levels dropped back a little, though the recent figures won’t have taken into account the weekend rains.
The USDA has already projected a big yield and crop so upward revisions may not be seen in the next report, as this is just securing a crop already expected.
China was rumoured buyers of approximately 1MMT tonnes of US beans on Monday, giving a late boost to markets, countering the easing of crude oil values.
Argentinian farmers continue to be reluctant sellers, keeping South American premiums supported, when typically they would ease when US sees Chinese buying interest.
Rapemeal
A week of easing prices as the market takes a breather from the rapid incline seen over the past month.
Crushers have begun to put prices in a better position to compete with soya again for the Nov/Apr period.
Aug/Oct prices remain at a premium due to the logistical difficulties in the Black Sea and also in Europe.
River levels in Europe are very challenging now, with the Danube at its lowest level for 30 years and part of the Rhine reaching record lows (beating 1976).
There is no sign of significant rains in the forecast to alleviate this situation.
Soya hulls
Demand continues to grow for winter hulls and this is reflected in increasing prices.
There is only so much supply available to export (mostly Argentina) and with fibre shortages across Europe the balance sheet looks set to tighten.
Distillers
Prices were lower on the week as shippers look to try and entice some sales, whilst currency helped.
US production was higher month on month as expected but still 3% down y-o-y as margins hold steady.
US product will likely have a base in prices due to domestic demand, (it looks good in US rations) as well as higher freight.
US ports are keen to load single product boats, eg. beans to China than have the additional time and expense of load a variety of products onto one boat.
Sugarbeet
No further news – crops are expected to be smaller, how small will depend on the rest of the summer and autumn weather.
British Sugar are set to close the Cantley plant at the end of February.
All this points towards firmer pricing in the long run, though there is already demand moving across to hulls in anticipation of this.
Wheat/Barley
Last week was an uncertain one for prices as initially prices struggled to make a play in either direction.
This was down to a lack of resolution for the issues surrounding exports via the Black Sea, but also with prices having risen so much, whether enough was now priced in.
There was some profit taking especially on the US market at the end of last week.
Without any positive developments for Ukrainian and Russian exports, it’s unlikely prices will ease further or quickly.
And finally, totally irrelevant but quite interesting facts of the week…
The notebooks of US astronauts were fireproofed with seaweed from the Isle of Lewis and Flor de Guia cheese from the Canary Islands must only be made by women, otherwise it is not considered the genuine article.
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.
