October 13, 2009
French government revises down 2009 cereal output estimate
The French agriculture ministry Monday (October 12) revised down its estimate for 2009 cereal production, dashing prospects a month ago for a record crop this year.
As of Oct. 1, total 2009 cereal production in France, one of Europe's leading agricultural producers, was projected at 69.8 million tonnes, 0.6 percent less than the record-high 70.3 million tonnes in 2008. In September, production had been projected at 70.6 million tonnes.
The expected year-on-year decline for 2009 reflects a 216 million hectares drop in land under cereal cultivation, despite a 1.2 percentage point rise in yield, compared with a year earlier, the ministry data show. The overall cereals decline largely reflects lower soft wheat and maize production. France is Europe's largest wheat grower.
Soft wheat output will be down 1.5 percent this year to 36.3 million tonnes, while corn output will fall 6.2 percent to 15 million tonnes, the data show. Other crops are expected to show production gains on the year. Monday's forecast brings the projection for cereal output back toward the 1 percent decline projected in August.
