Latest News

French wheat conditions hold at 4-year low, maize planting picks up

The condition of French soft wheat crops steadied at a fouryear low last week while maize planting accelerated, data from farm workplace FranceAgriMer showed on Friday, after a warm spell helped rainsoaked fields dry.

For soft wheat, 64% of the crop was approximated to be in excellent or exceptional condition by May 13, the same from the previous week but below 93% a year earlier, FranceAgriMer stated in a. cereal crop report.

The score was the lowest for this time of year because 2020,. when crops were likewise held up by heavy rain throughout planting.

France is the European Union's most significant wheat grower and. exporter. Weak crop development combined with a sharp fall in the. planted location could cause a much smaller harvest this year.

The good/excellent score for durum wheat, used in pasta,. edged approximately 66% from 65% the previous week however stayed at a. four-year low for the period.

The matching score for winter season barley was unchanged at. 66%, likewise a four-year low, while spring barley held steady at. 74%, a two-year low.

For maize, 72% of the anticipated location had been planted by Monday. against 54% the previous week, though development tracked the. year-earlier rate of 85% and an average of 91% for the same week. over the previous five years.

France's farm ministry this week forecast that the maize. area would leap by almost 10% this year after wet weather condition. disrupted sowing of earlier planted crops.

While last week's summer-like weather condition assisted field work,. showers this week and more rain forecast next week could hamper. planting.

A return to wet weather could also hinder a healing in. wheat conditions and increase issues about crop illness in. damp fields.

(source: Reuters)