Benelux grains prices weakened in the past week as bearish sentiment prevailed due to euro strength against the dollar and large European harvests this year, traders said on Monday. Falling prices brought trade to a near standstill as feed makers in the Netherlands and Belgium prefer to wait for further drops, traders said, adding activity will slow down even further in the next two weeks ahead of the Christmas holidays.
"There were some occasional deals last week but it's all hand-to-mouth. It's generally very quiet," a Dutch trader said.
Benelux feed wheat prices lost 1.5 to 2.5 euros per tonne in the past week from two weeks ago, when feed grains rose due to some transportation problems and low Rhine water levels.
Feed wheat was quoted at 110 euro cif Dutch ports on Monday for December/January'05 delivery and at 107/108 euro per tonne ex-truck at Belgium's Ghent.
Barley prices fell to 115 euro per tonne cif Dutch ports for December/January shipments from 117.5 euro two weeks ago, while Belgian prices dropped to 112.4/113 euro per tonne from 114.
Traders said European Union intervention offers had so far failed to remove surplus supplies from the market, which have been depressing prices this season.
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