Crop packaging plastic prices set to soar
02/03/05

Major increases in the price of baler twine, round bale netwrap, silage sheeting and silage stretch film will face farmers and contractors when they start looking to secure their crop packaging requirements for 2005.

Users can expect increases of up to 35 per cent on some products, fuelled by substantial increases in the cost of raw materials.

“The basic raw material used for producing silage stretch film has increased in cost by approximately 60 per cent since January 2004. This could translate into increases of around £12 or £13 on a roll of 750mm black silage film which, based upon an average cost of around £32 in 2004, could mean prices of about £45 for the 2005 season,” says Keith Ockenden, sales & marketing manager of UAT Ltd.

“We have not seen increases like this since 1995 when an oil cracking plant in Canada burnt down, cutting capacity of raw material and sending prices rocketing. That year silage film was being retailed at about £50 per roll,” he adds.

Similar increases are expected in the prices for twine and netwrap products, which are likely to reach new highs in the 2005 season after remaining stable for a number of years.

The Crop Packaging Association is launching a new Deal Locator service designed to help customers find the best deal on baler twine, netwrap and stretch film in their local area.

Although it cannot guarantee to find the lowest price, Deal Locator does give options on product quality, costs and terms to help users get the best value on their crop packaging purchases. The Deal Locator service is available now to all Crop Packaging Association subscribers by calling freephone 0800 068 9914.