In the UK, prices for both barley straw and wheat straw have fallen below the 5-year average, reports the British Hay and Straw Merchants' Association. At the beginning of the year, the price for barley straw was even 22% lower than 1 year earlier.
New figures from the British Hay and Straw Merchants' Association show that prices for both large bales of wheat straw and large bales of barley straw have fallen below the 5-year average. For September, £46,00 per tonne was paid for barley straw and £40,00 for wheat straw. This amounts to €53,75 and €46,74 per tonne respectively. Last year the price for barley straw was still £70 per tonne (€81,80 per tonne).
Early harvest, more product
The fact that the price for barley straw was £24 per tonne higher last year is not representative of previous years. Last year, straw prices in the United Kingdom were at a record level; due to the extremely dry summer, only a limited supply was available. This year the situation was different. “The harvest was able to start early, meaning there was more straw available this year than last year,” said Jennie Tanner, analyst at AHDB. "It was striking, however the question was a lot smaller."
| Price in £ per tonne (ex farm) | September 2019 |
August 2019 |
Verschil | September 2018 |
Verschil |
| Large bale of barley straw | £46 | £47 | - £1 | £70 | - £24 |
| Large bale of wheat straw | £40 | £43 | - £3 | £54 | - £14 |
| * Source: British Hay & Straw Merchants' Association | |||||