French wheat crop ratings declined sharply last week

• French farmers had completed 74pc of soft wheat sowing for next year's harvest.
• Grain maize harvest progress also remained slow, with 88pc of the crop gathered compared with 84pc a week earlier.

PARIS: The condition of soft wheat crops sown for next year's harvest fell sharply last week, data from farm office FranceAgriMer showed on Friday, suggesting heavy rain was affecting field conditions in the European Union's biggest grain country.

An estimated 78pc of soft wheat was rated good or excellent in the week to Nov. 18, down from 84pc a week earlier and below an 82pc score in the same week last year, FranceAgriMer's weekly crop report showed.

French farmers had completed 74pc of soft wheat sowing for next year's harvest, up from 71pc a week earlier and below 97pc progress seen a year ago, the report said.

Grain maize harvest progress also remained slow, with 88pc of the crop gathered compared with 84pc a week earlier.