Monday Market Briefing - 14th April 2025

After a bumpy week we ended higher on Friday, a welcome correction upwards, apparently driven as much as anything by dry weather in the US and Europe. High pressure is now slipping away to the East and, with rain in the forecast this week, the weather market might get dampened if it arrives. So far as tariffs are concerned the US position changes every day and markets do not know how to react. Winter and spring crops both look to have good potential for the time being.

The big malting barley clear up on farm proceeds at pace now, we have vessels on berth every week in April, opportunities to trade further balances of barley are very limited however, do get in touch if you think you will have more to sell when current contracts are completed. New crop prices have acquired some gloss due entirely to the hefty drop in Sterling in recent days, if we do get useful rain and crops perk up, new crop is now trading slightly above its two year base line and this added bit of value might be worth a dabble now.  With Easter approaching we have two shortened trading weeks ahead and what should be a calmer period for trade where the focus is mainly on deliveries and execution.

Have a good week