The French barley, durum and rapeseed harvests are under way, with first tests showing a weak protein level for barley, raising concern for the wheat crop that is only starting to be harvested, traders said on Friday.
A recent drop in temperatures and the return of more humid weather conditions in the coming days are considered favourable for wheat, but they could also lead to some lodging if rain was too hard, they said. Around 80 percent of the barley crop has been gathered in the centre-western part of the country near the Atlantic coast, which usually kicks off the French winter grains harvest, while 50 to 60 percent had been harvested in the North half.
First tests of the barley crop showed good yield levels, diverse specific weights and low protein levels at less than 10 percent, some 0.5 to one point lower than last year, one trader said. "A low protein level in barley is an ominous sign of a similar disappointment for wheat as the two crops are close."
Only edges of wheat fields were cut near the Atlantic coast. Because edges usually have a lower quality level, results could not be indicative of the country's crop, they said. Official estimates of grain crops were not expected before next week, at the earliest, when French arable crop ONIGC holds its monthly meeting. French traders peg the 2008 soft wheat crop at around 37-38 million tonnes, far above the 30.8 million tonnes gathered in 2007 when weather conditions had been unfavourable to crops.