Milling premiums set to fall next harvest

By Robert Harris

MILLING premiums are set to fall next harvest because high-quality winter wheat varieties have taken a bigger slice of this seasons wheat area.

Statistics from the National Institute of Agricultural Botany show that more and more farmers are turning to wheat varieties with good export and milling potential.

But a potential glut from the rise in overall wheat plantings this season will be avoided as farmers gain better access to export markets.

Sales of better-quality winter wheat varieties in England and Wales are up 9% on last year to 28%, according to NIAB.

Farmers have realised the need for value added crops, says Ian Pinner of Banks Agriculture. “If you do not get the [milling] premium, you still get the output,” he adds.