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After a dry spell, conditions for French crops improve slightly

The conditions of French soft wheat have improved in the week ending March 31. According to FranceAgriMer, the farm office said that the recent dry weather has helped the crops in many areas of the country.

Heavy rains in France have delayed planting and stunted early growth. This has raised fears that the harvest will be smaller than last year, when heavy rains caused the crop to be hit by the worst rains since the 1980s.

The ratings of soft wheat showed that by March 31 in France, which is the largest producer of soft grain in the European Union (76% were in excellent or good condition, up from 74% one week earlier, and higher than the four-year low of 65% at the same point last year.

FranceAgriMer said that 71% of the winter barley was in excellent or good condition. This is up from 70% one week ago, but down from 66% during the same week in 2024.

Durum wheat was in very good to good condition 81%, up from 80% one week ago.

FranceAgriMer's first estimate of spring barley showed 86% in excellent or good condition, compared to 61% the year before. Reporting by Anna Peverieri in Gdansk, and Alban Kach in Paris. Editing by Jan Harvey & David Goodman.

(source: Reuters)