HAMBURG: European wheat futures fell on Tuesday after recent rain across Europe relieved concerns about possible dryness damage to crops.
The firmer euro, which punishes exports, also depressed sentiment.
Front-month September milling wheat on the Paris-based Euronext exchange was down 1.50 euros, or 0.8%, at 184.50 euros ($209.5) a tonne at 1554 GMT, falling for a third straight session.
Chicago wheat fell, while Russian prices also eased after rising last week.
Rain in Europe last week brought relief to parched wheat belts.
More showers are forecast this week in western Europe, including in France, and after recent rain in the Black Sea region, traders took a relaxed view about hot weather forecast in southern Russia.
"The heat in Russia is arriving after the rain so it's not causing that much concern," a futures dealer said.
A 25% increase in Australia's official forecast for the country's 2020/21 wheat crop after heavy rains also weighed on the market.
France's farm ministry forecast this year's winter barley crop would fall 11.7% from last year. The ministry will give a first wheat production estimate next month.
In Germany, traders' attention was on forecasts for more rain later this week after welcome rain last week relieved parched crops.
"I think wheat in most of Germany is looking in a reasonable state but more rain is needed in parts of the east and north," one German trader said. "If we get good volumes of moisture one or two more times before the harvest the crop should be all right."
"The market is not expecting a fantastic crop in Germany but an average harvest is possible."
Standard bread wheat with 12% protein for September delivery in Hamburg was offered for sale little changed at around 1.5 euro under the Paris December contract.
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