Heavy snowfall has saved west European grain plantings from much damage from the Arctic-like weather sweeping across much of the region, analysts said on Thursday. Frosts as low as minus 20 degrees centigrade could have seriously hit crops but timely snow is protecting plantings and widespread damage is not currently expected in the key grain producers France, Germany and Britain.
"There is no doubt we had a narrow escape," one German grains analyst said. "A lot of snow fell over the new year holiday period which is providing good protection from the frosts." Temperatures have regularly fallen to minus 20 and minus 15 degrees centigrade in eastern German grain growing regions. "Grain plantings can survive even such temperatures without damage providing there is thick enough snow cover," the analyst said.
"Indications are so far that widespread damage has not taken place, but regional damage is certainly possible in areas with only thin snow." Freezing weather in France is not yet causing concern as snow cover and resistance acquired by winter grains during the past month will limit potential damage, said David Gouache of French agricultural institute Arvalis. "There hasn't been any frost damage observed nor any major concerns about it," said Gouache.
"The plantings are at a less fragile stage, having already hardened against the cold, and are in principle able to withstand temperatures of minus 10, 12 or even 16." Freezing conditions were seen continuing on Thursday in a large swathe from west to east, with temperatures between minus 2 and minus 8 degrees Celsius, with localised lows of minus 10-11 degrees, according to weather service Meteo France.