It is great to see such a positive start to the season for most across WA with solid early rains seeing the first fully wet plant in some time. Let’s hope this continues throughout the season and those in the north can pick up some solid rains to get them up and running with the rest of the state.

Old season pricing has been unusual to say the least over recent weeks with basis remaining strong in all port zones (and strengthening in Kwinana) despite futures strengthening and our dollar weakening against most other major currencies. This is contrary to the general belief that basis will weaken when international prices rise in Aussie dollars.

With shipping slots being pushed back towards the back half of the year and many being cancelled, it is hard to see how basis can continue at these levels with such a large wheat carryout expected. Further to this, we are seeing a strong inverse between old and new crop pricing in WA despite there still being considerable carry to the forward contracts in the Chicago, Kansas, Minneapolis and even Matif wheat exchanges. This should signal alarm bells that old season local wheat prices are overvalued or new season prices are undervalued. If you are holding a large proportion of your old season wheat, this is the type of scenario you will want to avoid.

Pricing out old season crop over the short term is the simplest strategy but for more information on the above or to see how Grain Brokers can add value to your business, please don’t hesitate to call one of our team.