April 16, 2012

France's grain crops in bad shape due to weather condition

As lack of rain exacerbates stress on plants that had already endured winter frost, French grain crops are in worse condition than at this time last year, farm office FranceAgriMer said on Friday (Apr 13) in its first-ever crop ratings report.

An estimated 62% of French soft wheat crops were in good or excellent condition by April 9, down from 75% a year earlier.

"Grains affected by frost are not benefiting from optimal conditions for growth resumption due to the lack of rain recorded across the country," FranceAgriMer said in its report.

The office estimated 55% of French winter barley crops as good or excellent, down from a year-earlier 77%, and 76% of spring barley, down from 87%.

Durum wheat crops had the lowest rating, with 42% of crops seen as good or excellent against 71% a year ago.

Compared with the previous week, however, the crop ratings were stable for soft wheat, durum and spring barley, while the winter barley reading had risen from 52%, FranceAgriMer said.

The office earlier this week slashed its area estimate for wheat following severe frost in February, which has led to some fields to be re-sown with spring crops.

Other forecasters have cut their outlook for France's wheat crop to take account of both area lost to winter-kill and stress from below-average rainfall since last autumn.

FranceAgriMer's crop ratings are to be calculated on a weekly basis, along the lines of the USDA's crop progress reports, the office said.

The ratings were national estimates based on data from eight regions, which account for about half of France's production of soft wheat, winter barley and spring barley, and about two-thirds of its durum and corn grain output.