France: Dry and hot weather causing concern for spring crops in France

The impact of dry and hot weather in many parts of France this month is causing concern for spring crops such as maize and sunflower seed, but rainfall forecast next week will likely be helpful, farm office FranceAgriMer said on June 15.

On the other hand winter crops, which are near harvesting, have less suffered from the harsh weather and the yield potential remains quite high, Benoit Pietrement, a crop farmer and head of FranceAgriMer's grain committee, also said.

"For grains in the large (producing) regions, the potential is still there for winter crops. We are far more worried for spring crops," he told reporters.

Winter wheat and barley crops grown in deep soils should see high yields, while superficial soils will be more affected by the dry weather.

Pietrement's comments on winter crops echoed those by crop institute Arvalis to Reuters on June 14.

Dry, warm conditions across northern Europe, including major grain belts in the north of France, have caused concern in international markets as summer harvesting approaches.

After one month of dry weather, weather forecaster Meteo France expects rainfall from Monday to Friday in large grain-producing regions.

"In the current situation any water is very positive. Of course for those who have started harvesting it's annoying, but for spring crops including maize, sunflower seed and some spring barley, the water that is expected can only be very positive," he said.

Winter barley harvesting has just kicked off in France.

Rainfall would also benefit rapeseed sowings in mid-August, Pietrement said. "We really need water."