Recent data from FranceAgriMer revealed a slight deterioration in the condition of French soft wheat crops, marking the lowest rating in four years as fields grapple with persistently damp conditions following a wet winter in the European Union’s primary grain producer. As of March 11, approximately 66% of French soft wheat was classified as in good or excellent condition, down from 68% the previous week, signaling ongoing challenges in crop development amidst the lingering effects of heavy rainfall since autumn. The adverse weather conditions have disrupted planting activities and early crop growth not only in France but also in other regions of western Europe. Strategie Grains analysts recently revised down their 2024 soft wheat and barley production forecasts for the EU due to the impact of the inclement weather. Additionally, winter barley conditions were reported to be at their weakest since 2020, with 68% of crops rated as good/excellent, slightly lower than the previous week. On a positive note, the sowing of spring barley witnessed a notable increase after sluggish progress in previous weeks, with 39% of the projected area sown compared to 28% a week earlier. However, spring barley sowing remains significantly behind both last year’s level and the five-year average. Despite challenges in crop cultivation, weather forecasts suggest a potential respite from heavy rain in the coming weeks in France, albeit with some expected showers in the near term.
French Soft Wheat Crop Rating Declines, Spring Barley Sowing Accelerates