France: The French 2003 harvest was severely affected by a sequence of adverse weather conditions including severe frost and winterkill in the winter followed by dry and extremely hot weather in May, June and July. As a consequence barley production fell by 1.1 million tonnes (10%) to 9.9 million tones, HGCA revealed in a statement on February 9. This year barley domestic usage is expected to go up 0.8 million tonnes to 4.5 million tones, compared to 2002/03. Barley ending stocks are seen down 0.7 million tonnes to 1.1 Mt.

The main impact of the smaller French harvest has been a sharp reduction in export availability with barley exports seen down 1 million tonnes (20%) to 4.1 million tonnes. Total wheat, maize and barley exports are seen 8.9 million tones (30%) lower to 20 million tonnes.

11 February, 2004