Agritel sees French wheat crop falling to 34.8mn tonnes

PARIS: French grains consultancy Agritel estimated Monday that France would harvest 34.8 million tonnes of soft wheat this year, down about 1 million tonnes on last year's crop.

In its first estimate for this year's crop, it forecast an average yield of 6.98 tonnes a hectare, 4 percent below the average of the past five years.

"The wintry weather conditions that have continued until this week have delayed plant growth and this will have consequences for yields," Agritel said in a note.

"Unless crops enjoy ideal weather conditions up to the harvest, it is very likely that the yield potential will be affected."