French farmers, including Jean Lefevre, are facing one of their worst wheat harvests in decades due to relentless rain that began last October and continued through the harvest last month. As the largest grain producer in the European Union, France has suffered from particularly wet weather over the past year, including a month of continuous rain in late 2023 and severe storms last month.
The excessive rainfall has delayed sowing and adversely affected crop development, leading the farm ministry to project a wheat harvest decline of 25% from last year, marking the lowest yield since the 1980s. Other crops, such as winter barley, have also been significantly impacted.
Lefevre, who farms in the Oise region, described the challenging conditions: “Since October we have had our feet in the water. We have sown in very complicated conditions, and today we are still harvesting in wet soil again.” Some farmers have even faced equipment issues due to the soggy fields.
Wheat is crucial for France’s economy, with about half of the crop exported, contributing to the trade balance. However, competition from Black Sea countries has intensified in recent years, making it challenging for French farmers to benefit from local price increases despite the tight supply situation.
While farmers might have hoped for higher local prices due to the reduced harvest, they are instead facing pressure from a global grain glut, influenced by robust harvests in major competitor countries like Russia.