Understanding the Rye Market with Jason McGillivray of Scoular | KWS Hybrid Rye Series

In this episode of Impact Farming, host welcomes Jason McGillivray from Scoular to discuss the current state and future of the rye market in North America. Jason, a trade unit manager with over a decade of experience at the 134-year-old agribusiness Scoular, provides deep insight into the challenges and opportunities facing rye producers. He explains that the 2025 rye crop was historically large—nearly a million metric tons—due to expanded acreage and favorable growing conditions, leading to oversupply. This, combined with a 60% drop in demand from the distilling industry driven by overproduction, shifting consumer habits, inflation, and trade barriers, has pressured rye prices. However, Scoular is actively diversifying rye markets by expanding into feed, ethanol, and the U.S. cover crop seed sector, creating new liquidity and demand channels. Jason emphasizes that knowing grain quality, geography, and market dynamics is crucial for farmers, and encourages them to stay connected with buyers like Scoular for timely market intelligence. Looking ahead to the 2026 crop year, he predicts a 20–30% reduction in rye acres due to low current prices, but anticipates a supply tightening by 2027, which could drive prices higher. He advises farmers to think strategically a year out and consider forward contracting based on long-term supply-demand trends rather than short-term volatility. The episode underscores the importance of market diversification and proactive planning in a niche commodity like rye. Jason’s message is clear: while current conditions are tough, the long-term outlook is promising if farmers and buyers work together to build resilient, multi-directional markets. The conversation also highlights the value of transparency and ongoing relationships in a market where information is scarce. For farmers, the takeaway is to stay informed, maintain grain quality, explore multiple end uses, and not be discouraged by short-term lows. The episode concludes with a call to action for producers to engage with industry experts and participate in evolving market conversations, especially through initiatives like the KWS Hybrid Rye Series.