Grain prices declined steadily over the course of 2025 and into the second half stayed consistently on a downward trend.

The US maize crop was predicted to be a record and overall yields were generally good in Europe. Price was the main problem.

Ample grain supplies and reports of record crops coming from the southern hemisphere kept prices down in the backend of the year.

ADVERTISEMENT

War and uncertainty around grain supply affected markets at different times of the year unfortunately.

Currency is always a factor in grain prices, but this year its impact seemed to be more easily noticed.

When the euro was strong against the dollar, it made EU grain less competitive on the world market.

On 1 January, €1 was worth $1.0356. Over the year, this gradually increased and reached a bit of a settled rate for the second six months of the year at a higher rate. For example, on 2 July €1 was worth $1.1805.

We saw European grain prices increase when this figure moved down. For example, €1 was worth about $1.14/$1.15 at times and as the difference lowered prices improved.

Highs and lows

Irish spot barley and wheat (dried) hit lows at the end of October at about €205/t for barley and €210/t for wheat.

At this time, corn into the country was at around €215/t. Matif wheat for December 2025 was at about €189.25/t in those weeks. However, the Matif price reached its low on 1 December, shortly before it came to a close at €186.75/t.

The highest prices of the year were in January for spot wheat and corn, up at nearly €250/t and spot barley at around €245/t. The Matif wheat price for December reached its peak on 14 February when it hit €243.75/t.

Matif maize for November reached a peak of €222/t on 14 February and hit a low on 1 October at €181/t.

Oilseed rape fluctuated throughout the year, affected by oil prices and the soybean and oilseeds trade.

In general, though, it was at its highest in the first half of the year. It hit a peak of €512/t on 20 June, but also hit €504.25/t on 20 and 27 February. It was at €459.75/t on 17 March and €458/t on 3 October, but increased again by 29 October when it was at €483.75/t.

The highest green price offer of the year for barley still goes to Liffey Mills, when €210/t was offered for spring feed barley in the midst of contract cuts to malting barley suppliers on 13 February.

Looking back, it should have been taken up by many more people and key to 2026 will be looking out for those opportunities to sell.