Orion Farming Group Weekly Straights Update: 8th May 2025

Orion Farming Group
May 8
3 min read

The figures in the charts are an indication only and reflect levels traded on Wednesday.

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Hipro Soya

A quiet week again, with no changes to tariff situation and no real change to the weather that is concerning funds.
The Argentinian harvest is progressing at a better pace with improved weather reaching 23.6% complete, but still remains 12% below last year.
US soybean planting continues to ramp up, reaching 30% complete vs 23% on the 5 year average.
China is said to be considering a US offer to open up trade negotiations, which would bring some demand back to US soybeans, should it occur and prove fruitful – a lot of ifs!
Globally there is still a large crop from South America and slow demand from China at present, so this continues to put pressure overall on the market.

Rapemeal

Prices continue to drift lower across all positions, with currently no bullish news around.
Canadian seed is still providing competition and price pressure to May/Oct prices, though some downward movement is being seen on next winter, as crushers are trying to generate some sales.

Soya hulls

Prices moved a little lower on forward positions, but the situation is still tighter on nearby availability, until more shipments come over in the next month or two.
With the Argentinian harvest being a bit slower than normal, pressure is yet to be seen on prices that have been expected when the crush plants there get going.

Distillers

Not a lot of change on distillers prices for forward positions as supply looks steady with UK production, keeping prices relatively stable.
US distillers production moved slightly higher, but stocks remain at a 15 week low, though margins are now back into positive territory.
Production od distillers grains (DDGS) were up 7% from the previous month but still 7% down vs the previous year.
Wheat distillers remain a premium commodity, as there isn’t a lot of product around.

Sugarbeet

Still the same story with some imported product available but at premium prices.
No summer offers on home produced product and unlikely to be any.
UK and northwest European plantings have gone well due to the dry weather in March and April – which will need to be monitored over the coming months.
The area planted is still expected to drop 6-9% year-on year for the UK and EU.

Wheat/Barley

Globally, wheat is still looking good with better weather for US winter wheat.
In the UK, dry conditions is being seen which may start to limit crop growth.
April rainfall was 56% of the usual amount due for the month and whilst this helped get spring planting finished off, some winter cereal condition dropping back is now being seen.
The condition levels (winter wheat 60% good – excellent, winter barley 68% good – excellent), whilst lowering from the previous month are still way ahead of last year.
Prices available physically vs prices on futures still seem far apart and sellers limited overall.

And finally, totally irrelevant but quite interesting facts of the week…….

The last time elephants were used in battle was during the Iran-Iraq war in 1987 and the most dangerous household item in a fire is a fridge-freezer.

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