Reuters – Grain crops in Europe are nearing the end of winter in good condition, though low rainfall in the west is a risk for the spring growing period, analysts said.
A record dry spell in France over the past month has raised concern about a repeat of the drought that last year damaged later-planted crops such as maize. However, observers say that current soil moisture is sufficient.
“We’re going to need rain in March, but for now there is no loss of yield potential,” said Nathan Cordier of consultancy Agritel.
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Nearly all winter wheat and barley is in good condition and growers have made swift progress in sowing spring barley, said farm office FranceAgriMer. The French farm ministry estimates that there has been a year-on-year increase in the area for soft wheat, winter barley and particularly rapeseed.
Lack of rain in Spain and Italy is a concern, the EU’s crop-monitoring service said.
In central Europe, conditions are favourable in Germany and Poland.
“We do not have the same concern about dryness as in France,” one German grains analyst said. “I have seen no significant frost damage either to German wheat or rapeseed.”
The mild winter could leave plants vulnerable to a cold snap, but risks were diminishing with only a month or so left in the period for potentially severe frosts, the analyst added.
In Britain, winter planted crops are generally in good condition, though pest damage to rapeseed could moderate an expected shift away from spring crops.
