Soft wheat sowing in France ahead of average pace after dry November

Sowing of soft wheat in France is ahead of the average pace of recent years as drier weather this month has helped farmers make up for rain delays in early fall, according to FranceAgriMer’s agricultural office on Friday.

According to FranceAgriMer’s cereal harvest report, farmers had planted 93% of the expected soft wheat area by Nov. 25, up from 81% a year earlier and above the 91% average for the same week over the past five years.

Rainy weather in September and October hampered fieldwork and raised fears of a repeat of last year’s planting campaign, which resulted in the worst wheat crop in 40 years.

However, drier conditions in November allowed sowing to accelerate, although some observers warn that next year’s yield potential could be reduced.

Soft wheat is the most widely grown cereal crop in France, the largest crop producer in the European Union.

FranceAgriMer estimates that 87% of the new soft wheat crop is in good to excellent condition, down slightly from 88% the previous week but up from 80% a year ago.

Farmers were also nearing the end of winter barley seeding and corn harvesting.

An estimated 98% of the winter barley acreage was sown, above the five-year average of 96%, and the corn crop was harvested at 89% against the five-year average of 98%, the office said.

Despite the rain delay, France’s corn harvest is expected to be higher, helped by an intensification of spring planting.

FranceAgriMer said 63% of the expected durum wheat area has been planted, slightly below the five-year average of 66%.

Tags: France, wheat