HGCA: New-crop up on weather worries

DELIVERED, export and LIFFE wheat markets were higher across the board, with delivered new-crop prices gaining 2 on last week as forecast rains over the weekend added to concerns over crop condition and output.

Difficulties continued with finding spot grain amid a lack of farm selling and robust domestic demand.

Ex-farm feed wheat prices eased into the low-70s in most regions last week, but were particularly higher in the North and West of the country.

GB retail compound feed output remained strong during February, but not as strong as January.

Cattle feed output was up 6% during February compared to February 2000. Pig feed output fell 10%, compared with 12-15% reductions in the first half of the season.

Total wheat usage during February rose 7% on February 2000. Poultry integrated unit feed output was up 4% on February 2000, with wheat usage up 9%.

USAGE of wheat by millers during February was up 1% on February 2000, but end-February cumulative usage remains almost unchanged on last season at 3.74m tonnes.

Maltsters usage of barley was up 11% during February, but is just 1% up over the July to February period.