France: FranceAgriMer’s latest report says less than half wheat and winter barley crops is rated now in good or very good condition

Over the last two to three months, the condition of French wheat and barley crops has become more and more of a hot topic. A special report published on July 12 by FranceAgriMer for AHDB detailed the timetable of crop development for both crops, from favourable back in early spring, to rapidly falling conditions during June.

According to new data from FranceAgriMer’s crop rating system (Céré’Obs), things have worsened further. As at the week ending 11 July, the proportion of France’s soft wheat and winter barley crops rated in good or very good condition is less than half, substantially lower than the previous week. With 49% good/very good for soft wheat, this is the lowest rating since reporting began in 2012.

While FranceAgriMer are reserving judgement on overall quality until the crop is ‘in the bin’, harvesting is now well underway for wheat and barley. This suggests an upturn in crop conditions is unlikely to be on the cards – which could mean implications across the different wheat markets.

FranceAgriMer will publish its first technological quality assessments in August, until then the weekly crop condition reports will remain an important issue for markets.

20 July, 2016