Iberian wheat prices were firm this week on worries about dwindling stocks but barley was pushed down by cheap French supply in a market slowing ahead of Easter holidays, dealers said.
Buyers, with one eye on the new harvest, continued to cover only immediate needs, but worries that already low supplies could run out later this month supported prices, dealers said.
Feed wheat was quoted at 172-180 euros per tonne at Tarragona, slightly firmer than 170 to 180 euros last week.
Barley prices quoted at the port had slipped to between 159 and 162 euros, from 165 in late March, although traders said most supplies were coming by rail from the south of France.
"These days of Easter week there are a lot of people on holiday and there is not much demand; the rhythm of business has slowed," said one Madrid-based trader.
Traders expected activity to pick up over the coming week, particularly in maize, sorghum and barley markets, where there was still a lot of demand left uncovered.
Port sources said they were expecting a series of maize shipments next week, but declined to give details.
The website of Tarragona port gave details of a shipment of 31,000 tonnes of barley in dock on Wednesday and at least 49,000 tonnes of soy products expected over the next few days.
Prices quoted for new harvest feed wheat strengthened slightly, but dealers reported little trading.
"People have covered up to 50 percent of their needs for the first three months after the harvest at better (price) levels than they can at the moment," said one Barcelona-based dealer.
Other buyers were holding out in the hope that prices would fall further as the harvest drew nearer, he added.
"People have been asking for prices but there is little buying or selling," the Madrid trader said.
The weather this year has been excellent for grain crops, but Spain's harvests are very vulnerable over the summer months, and a heatwave like last year's could still have a very strong impact.