Pre-Christmas delivery problems for straights

By FWi staff

THE straights market is beginning to quieten down in the run-up to Christmas, and prices remained relatively unchanged over last week.

Merchants are running into problems now with haulage, as drivers are unwilling to do long distances in the week before Christmas, said Ian Pickles of KW Alternative Feeds.

“Plants have all closed down, as have most of the breweries now. Its only the ports that are still running,” he said.

The soya bean meal hi-pro inched up £3 to £136/t this week, while Brazilian 48% pellets and meal climbed £1 to £128/t.

The soya market continues to follow the Chicago Board of Trade, but UK prices were steady last week while prices came under pressure in the US following the recent good weather conditions in South America.

The UK market should remain firm in the new year as there will still be a number of shortages and demand continues to be strong, said Mr Pickles. “But when new supplies enter the market the prices could ease slightly if currency stays at the same level,” he said.