Euronext wheat futures rose on Friday as continued weakness in the euro added to export optimism in Europe after a recent flurry of overseas sales.
A slight rise in Chicago wheat, which was recovering from a two-month low earlier in the week also supported European prices.
Front-month March milling wheat on Paris-based Euronext was up 1.25 euros, or 0.7%, at 194.00 euros ($210.18) a tonne by 1723 GMT, while the May contract also added 0.7%, to 192.75 euros.
The euro extended losses against the dollar to touch its lowest since April 2017, adding to the export competitiveness of western European grain.
However, price gains were moderate as Euronext was approaching recent highs, dealers said.
Lower prices in Russia and the prospect of a bumper harvest there this year were also limiting Paris levels, they said.
Farm office FranceAgriMer said on Friday that 65% of French soft wheat crops were in good or excellent condition by Feb. 10, down from 85% a year ago.
Rain-disrupted sowing in France and Britain has put Europe on course for a smaller harvest this year, although a mild winter was helping crop development.
The favourable export context kept physical premiums steady in France and Germany, traders said.
In Germany, standard bread wheat with 12% protein for March delivery in Hamburg was offered for sale unchanged at 5.0 euros over the Paris March contract.
Buyers were offering up to 4.0 euros over Paris.
In Poland, prices were also underpinned by export activity.
"Exporters are running the show due to strong wheat demand to the ports," one Polish trader said.
"I estimate Poland's port wheat exports in January were at the high level of around 300,000 tonnes and a similar figure is expected for February, 95% of this is shipments outside the EU."
Exporter purchase offers for Polish 12.5% protein milling wheat were unchanged on the week at around 825 zloty (194.4 euros) a tonne for February/March delivery to ports.
Three ships have recently sailed from Poland each with 60,000 tonnes of wheat for Saudi Arabia, believed to show that Polish wheat is being used to supply recent Saudi tender purchases.
Meanwhile, another vessel is also loading 60,000 tonnes of Polish wheat for Saudi Arabia. One is loading 60,000 tonnes for an unknown destination and another 50,000 tonnes for South Africa.
Another vessel has sailed with 35,000 tonnes of wheat for Turkey, while a series of other shipments of 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes are also to be loaded.
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