European wheat futures were little changed on Friday as the market assessed mixed export news and the risk of further sowing delays in France.
March milling wheat, the most active contract on the Paris-based Euronext exchange, was unchanged on the day at 183.00 euros ($201.70) a tonne by 1633 GMT.
The contract was consolidating above Thursday's one-week low of 182.75 euros, which had followed a pullback from Monday's 4-1/2 month high of 187.00 euros.
Chicago wheat, the global benchmark, was slightly lower, curbed by a strong dollar.
In France, a rainy spell forecast from Friday could add to sowing delays that have raised early doubts about next year's harvest.
Weekly data from farm office FranceAgriMer showed farmers had completed 83% of soft wheat sowing by Dec. 2, with work running a week behind the average pace of the past five years.
"There was a window in last three days with the cold and frosts that let some farmers get into the fields," Nathan Cordier of consultancy Agritel said.
"The weather forecast is showing a week to 10 days of rain so it could be very tough in areas where sowing hasn't been finished yet."
French traders were also monitoring strikes in France against a government pension reform.
Rail strikes continued into a second day on Friday and traders said grain logistics might be affected if stoppages lasted beyond a week.
In Germany, standard bread wheat with 12% protein for January delivery in Hamburg was offered for sale at 2.25 euros over the Paris March contract against 2.5 euros over on Thursday.
Buyers were offering around 1.75 euro over Paris.
"Wheat being gathered for export ship loadings continues to keep premiums over Paris futures but demand has weakened slightly from the high levels seen in recent weeks," one German trader said.
"It was worrying that Argentina is expected to supply part of Algeria's purchase in the tender this week, it looks like Europe is facing stronger export competition."

















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