The grain market works

MOST of the grain market this year is likely to follow the malting barley lead of huge price increases because, for the first time in nearly a decade, there is a properly working market.

As usual, the main buyers are playing cat and mouse, having delayed price announcements until after mid-August. But Minch Malt put the cat among the pigeons with its 58% price rise for malting barley, even if it comprises only about 10% of Ireland’s grain production.

The big grain buyers, Glanbia and Dairygold Co-op, often don’t announce grain prices until September.