HGCA: UK wheat quiet, barley flat

DELIVERED markets saw low traded volumes. Most consumers were reported to be focusing on April/June with very little interest prior to that.

New-crop bread-wheat prices for October/December were 1 to 1.50 higher, while feed-wheat prices were generally mixed across the board.

Other than logistical problems for grain collection in affected areas, the foot-and-mouth issue had little other price impact in delivered markets.

TRADED volumes on LIFFE wheat markets were significantly down on last weeks 339,400 tonnes, at 199,400 tonnes.

A week of dry weather saw attention turn away from physical markets as farmers focused their efforts on crop drilling.

New-crop values lost 1.25/t with September 2001 wheat ending Friday only 2.60 above March wheat at 73.10/t, compared with over 4 the previous week.

The market saw no fresh currency news, with the Euro continuing to trade around 0.63 over the week.