Centenary Thurles Announces Grain Prices for Harvest 2026, But Growers Still Face Uncertainty
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and Irish Grain Growers’ Group (IGGG) have welcomed a year-on-year increase in grain prices for 2026, but both groups expressed concern that the prices announced by Centenary Thurles are still not enough to cover costs.
Centenary Thurles has become the first grain merchant to announce prices for Harvest 2026 feed barley, wheat, and oats. The co-op is offering a headline price of €225/t for feed barley, which is inclusive of a full bonus of up to €9/t.
IFA National Grain Committee chairperson John Murphy noted that the price reflects the current state of world markets but acknowledged that it will not be enough to cover the huge cost increases at farm level. 'The IFA Grain Committee would call on all other grain merchants and co-operatives to come out and at least match these base prices over the coming weeks,' Murphy said.
The IGGG also noted the prices confirmed by Centenary Thurles, but a spokesperson pointed out that this year's improvement in farm gate returns does not reflect the very strong input costs rises that have impacted on all tillage farms throughout the 2025/26 growing season.