PARIS: The condition of French soft wheat, winter barley and durum crops remained stable in the week to March 23, while crop development continued to run ahead of the average, data from farm office FranceAgriMer showed on Friday.
FranceAgriMer said 84 percent of the soft wheat crops were in good or excellent condition, unchanged from the prior week and up from 74 percent a year ago. About 92percent of the crop had reached the 1-cm ear stage, well above the five-year average of 62percent. Winter barley ratings were also steady, with 81percent in good or excellent condition. About 94percent of the winter barley crop had reached the ear stage, compared with a five-year average of 62percent.
For durum, ratings stood at 81percent, and about 86percent of the crop had reached the ear stage, compared with the five-year average of 64percent.
Spring barley sowings were now complete and 24percent of the crop had reached the ear stage, compared with the five-year average of 5percent.