Just like in the Netherlands, there is also more than enough straw available in the United Kingdom. However, the problem is that (dairy) farmers do not ask for this product, so that prices are set in stone.
In the Netherlands, the price for straw has been under pressure for weeks. After all, there is a lot of supply, but little demand. This also means that the price is significantly below last year's level: €100 per tonne free of charge, compared to last year it was €125 per tonne free of charge. The same phenomenon is happening in the United Kingdom. While there was a straw shortage in 2018, there is more than enough supply this year. This makes the record high prices of last year are not achieved.
Stable market, low prices
In the northeast of the United Kingdom the price barley straw is £48 per tonne (€53 per tonne) and wheat straw is £40 per tonne (€44 per tonne). In East Yorkshire, the price of wheat straw is £42 per tonne and barley straw is £50 per tonne. In the South East, the price for wheat straw is the lowest of all regions: £35 per tonne (approximately €39 per tonne).
In Scotland, by far the highest prices are currently paid for straw; barley straw is listed at £80 per tonne (€89 per tonne) and wheat straw at £58 per tonne (€65 per tonne). Prices in the above regions have been stable for a few weeks now.
However, there are also 2 areas where the price has not been able to hold its own. For example, the price of wheat straw fell by £5 to £35 per tonne (€39 per tonne) in the Central Midlands and by £2 to £38 per tonne (€42 per tonne) in the Eastern Counties. In these two regions, the price for barley straw remains stable, trading at £2 per tonne and £45 per tonne respectively. This amounts to €42 and €50 per tonne.