According to senior commission analysts, values of about €90/t (£64/t) are a thing of the past. Briefing the Eurofarm Group of leading EU farming magazines in Brussels last week, they suggested values were more likely to settle at the €150-160/t (£107-114/t) mark in two or three years’ time, compared with this season’s €210-240/t (£150-170/t).

Increased plantings would see some softening of prices next year. But, overall, the development of the biofuels sector, climate change and growing demand for meat in developing countries, would provide long-term support to the market.

One civil servant went on to suggest that, with prices at these levels, it would be easier to secure an agreement on the CAP heath check. “It’s aways easier to reform when prices are higher,” he said.