French winter grain ratings fall after heavy rain

PARIS: The condition of winter grains in top European Union producer France deteriorated and spring barley sowings came to a halt in the week to February 16 after heavy rains hit the western part of the country, farm office FranceAgriMer said on Friday.

The second ratings of French cereals after a winter pause were still far better than those recorded in the two previous years, when wet weather had also hurt sowings.

FranceAgriMer said 88percent of soft wheat crops were in good or excellent condition by February 16, down from 91percent the previous week and up from 74percent a year earlier.