French farmers are nearing the completion of this year’s soft wheat harvest, which is projected to be the smallest since the 1980s. As of August 12, approximately 98% of the soft wheat crop area had been harvested, an increase from 88% the previous week, according to weekly data from FranceAgriMer.
The adverse weather, particularly months of heavy rain, has significantly impacted wheat planting and yields, presenting challenges for farmers who are also contending with lower prices and rising costs. FranceAgriMer reported that only 48% of the soft wheat crop is rated as good or excellent, marking the worst rating since 2016, when similar weather conditions led to one of the smallest harvests in decades.
In terms of grain maize, which is harvested in autumn, the good/excellent rating has dropped to 76%, down from 77% the previous week, indicating a third consecutive weekly decline due to hot weather conditions. This rating is also lower than the 84% recorded a year ago.
Farmers have completed the harvesting of durum wheat and are nearing the end of the spring barley harvest, with 91% of that crop cut. The harvesting of winter barley concluded the previous week.