France: Barley sowings in slight increase
Estimated at 1.19 mil ha, winter barley sowings increased 1% y/y, compared with 1.10 Mha in 2006, Le Petit Meunier published April 19. Its been growing every year and has already surpassed the 5 year average of 8%.
The increase concerns all the regions. It has reached 3% in the Center the first production region, 2% in Bourbogne and 1% in Lorraine and Champagne-Ardenne.
Barley sowings are stable in 2007 with 494,000 ha (492,000 ha in 2006). The 2007 total barley balance of 1.69 Mha is 1% above that of 2006 (1.67 Mha) and the 5 year average.