Weather-hit French maize conditions at new low as harvest starts

PARIS: The state of French grain maize crops deteriorated further last week to a fresh record low following severe drought and heat this summer, data from FranceAgriMer showed on Friday.

Here are details from the farm office’s weekly cereal report: FranceAgriMer estimated that 27percent of the grain maize crop was in good or excellent condition as of August 31, down from 28percent a week earlier.

That was the lowest score in the office’s records, which date back to 2011. The latest rating compares with 62percent a year ago. Maize (corn) is the cereal crop that has suffered the most from the extreme weather, as the summer marks the peak of its growing season.

France’s agriculture ministry has forecast a 35percent drop in grain maize production from last year. Analysts expect output to plunge by around half to its lowest level since 1976. The latest decline in crop ratings came despite showers and cooler temperatures last week. However, hot and dry weather has returned to France, with temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) in parts of the south.

Farmers have started harvesting grain maize, with 3percent of the crop gathered by Monday, FranceAgriMer said. That compares with an average progress of 1percent for the same week over the past five years.