In Belgium the French Spring barley area is reported higher by up to 10%, which should be good news for prices. However like the rest of Europe the lack of rain has added to the uncertainty in France and the very fact that at the end of April crops are under pressure, it is more difficult to forecast the damage done to Spring crops as the growing period is shorter than in the UK albeit only a few weeks but this could be important in crop stressful year.

30 May, 2003