France: Barley harvest estimate unchanged at 11.4 mln tonnes

France’s Agriculture Ministry on November 9 raised its estimate for the 2021 soft wheat crop in the European Union’s largest grain producer to 35.5 million tonnes from 35.2 million. projected last month.

That would be 21.5% above 2020 production and 6.2% above the five-year average, the portfolio said in a monthly crop report.

The ministry also raised its forecast for the grain corn crop to 14.5 million tonnes, from the 13.9 million forecast last month.

For sunflower, another spring crop, it lifted estimated production to a record 2 million tonnes, down from 1.9 million tonnes forecast in October. The harvest, which benefited from good weather conditions, would be almost 45% above the five-year average, the portfolio said.

The sugar beet crop, which is still being harvested, is now estimated at 34.1 million tonnes, slightly above the 34 million forecast in October.

“Production estimates are revised up for most cereals, oilseeds and protein crops. Corn, sunflower and beet crops benefited from the summer rains and are still estimated to have increased significantly from 2020,” he said. the ministry.

The barley harvest estimate was practically unchanged at 11.4 million tonnes, while the rapeseed crop remained at 3.3 million tonnes.