Great Britain wheat straw big square bale price
Great Britain wheat straw big square bale price stood at £87 per tonne in Jul 2026, according to Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). It is one of the indicators in the Agricultural prices table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 2000 to Jul 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Agricultural prices table
| Indicator | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hay and straw, England and Wales | |||||||||||
| Wheat straw, big square bale | 87 | 98 | 98 | 98 | 100 | 94 | 84 | 82 | 81 | 81 | |
| Rape straw, big square bale | 55 | 64 | 65 | 68 | 72 | 72 | 70 | 69 | 69 | 69 |
Understanding great Britain wheat straw big square bale price
Agricultural merchants and straw distributors operating within England and Wales report spot transaction values for wheat straw compressed into large square bales. This metric captures the predominant bedding material utilised in livestock housing, keeping it distinct from barley straw, oilseed rape residue, and forage hay categories found in adjacent table sections. The reported pricing represents bulk commercial lots traded between arable producers and livestock holdings, excluding local transport tariffs.
Interpreting wheat straw requires careful alignment with the timing of the cereal combining season, after which volumes adjust according to regional storage capacity. Monthly revisions frequently occur as trade associations reconcile early merchant estimates with actual completed contracts. Researchers should evaluate these figures alongside regional livestock numbers to understand the fundamental balance between bedding supply and animal housing demand.
Frequently asked questions
- How does wheat straw differ from barley straw in agricultural usage?
- Wheat straw is generally stiffer and offers different absorption properties, influencing its preference in specific livestock bedding systems.
- Does this series cover small conventional bales of straw?
- No, the dataset focuses exclusively on large square bale configurations.
- Why are year-on-year comparisons recommended over monthly changes?
- Annual comparisons neutralise the seasonal harvesting cycle that creates artificial price troughs during summer.