- Heavy rains in France lead to a 5.1% decrease in winter wheat sowing.
- Winter rapeseed sowing remains stable despite weather challenges.
- Grain maize and sugar beet production estimates for 2023 show increases compared to last year.
Decline in Winter Cereal Cultivation
Recent heavy rains in France have severely disrupted the sowing of winter cereals, leading to a projected decrease in the cultivation area. The French farm ministry anticipates a 5.1% reduction in soft wheat sowing for the 2024 harvest, reaching a four-year low at 4.49 million hectares. Similarly, winter barley and durum wheat, essential for pasta, are also facing decreases in sowing areas by 4.0% and 10.5%, respectively.
Consistent Rapeseed Sowing and Updated Crop Yield Forecasts
In contrast, the sowing of winter rapeseed, France’s primary oilseed crop, remains steady. The sowing of rapeseed, which occurred before the arrival of the wet weather, is projected to increase slightly by 0.5% for the 2024 harvest. Additionally, revisions to the 2023 harvest estimates show an increase in grain maize production by 16.1% compared to the previous year, although still below the five-year average. The sugar beet production estimate for 2023 also sees a marginal increase from last year.
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