French crop conditions continue to deteriorate as harvest begins

French crop conditions continued to deteriorate slightly in the week to June 19, according to a weekly report by farm agency FranceAgriMer released Friday.

Some 83% of the French soft wheat crop was assessed as being in good to very good condition, down from 85% last week, although this was better than at the same point last year, when only 64% of the crop was rated as good to very good.

The share of the wheat crop at the heading stage reached 100%, with an unchanged average date of three days behind last year and one day behind the five-year average.

Soft wheat harvests have begun and reached 2% by June 19, on par with last year's progress and ahead of the five-year average of 0%.

Favorable weather conditions earlier in the year supported French crops, but it is likely dry and warm prevailing conditions in France will impact crops now.

Durum wheat saw 77% of the crop in good to very good condition, down from 81% the previous week but still better than the 60% in that condition at this time last year.

The durum wheat crop also had completed the heading stage, with development on par with last year and the five-year average.

The durum wheat harvest has also begun, reaching 2% complete, slightly behind last year, when the harvest had progressed to 4% at the same point, but ahead of the five-year average of 1%.

Winter barley conditions also saw a small drop, with 84% of the crop assessed in good to very condition, down from 85% last week but above last year’s level of 63% at the same point.

Having already reached 100% at the heading stage, the crop development remains on average three days behind last year and one day behind the five-year average.

The winter barley harvests are 10% complete, behind last year’s progress of 23% complete but ahead of the five-year average of 6%.

Spring barley conditions also saw a drop, with 78% of the crop assessed in good to very condition, down from 83% last week but up from 53% last year.

The crop has reached 100% at the heading stage, on average five days behind last year's progress and one day behind the five-year average.

The spring barley harvest has progressed at 1%, behind the 3% completed last year but on par with the five-year average.

Conditions for corn also dipped slightly, with 85% rated in good to very good condition, down from 86% last week.

The share of the crop at the seedling stage of development remained stable at  99%, while 89% had progressed to the stage where six leaves were visible, up from 76% the week before but lagging behind 96% at this time last year and behind the five-year average of 92%.

France is one of Europe's leading exporters of soft wheat and is expected to export some 10.2 million mt outside the European Union for the current marketing year.