Reuters – Winter grain sowings made little progress and crop ratings fell in France during the second week of November, farm office FranceAgriMer data showed Nov. 17. It is a sign that heavy rainfall took a toll on crops in the European Union’s biggest grain grower.
French farmers had sown 71 per cent of the expected soft wheat area for next year’s harvest by Nov. 13, compared with 67 per cent a week earlier and 96 per cent by the same time last year, the office said in a crop report.
Only 86 per cent of the soft wheat crop was in good or excellent condition, compared to 91 per cent a week earlier and 98 per cent by the same stage in 2022.
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Winter barley sowing progressed to 84 per cent from 81 per cent the previous week, with crop conditions also falling to 86 per cent good to excellent, from 91 per cent the prior week and 98 per cent last year.
In a separate statement, crop institute Arvalis said that above-average precipitation had delayed field work and some flooded acres may need reseeding.
“In some cases very affected by excess water … a shift to spring or summer crops becomes inevitable,” Arvalis said.
