The French farm ministry on Monday raised its estimate for the 2010 soft wheat crop in the European Union's top producer on the back of an increase in its yield outlook. Soft wheat output was projected at 35.7 million tonnes, up from 35.2 million seen last month, although still down 1.5 percent on last year.
The average yield was estimated at 7.24 tonnes per hectare, up from 7.11 tonnes seen in August. The raised output forecast could reinforce French exports, which have surged since last month as buyers have turned to France in the face of weather disruption to harvests in Russia and Germany.
The farm ministry also raised slightly its forecast for maize output, putting it at 13.6 million tonnes versus 13.5 million estimated in August and still down about 11 percent on the year. The production forecast for barley was also increased slightly to 10.3 million tonnes from 10.2 million last month. Oilseed output was similarly revised upwards, with the rapeseed crop now estimated at 4.7 million tonnes, up from 4.5 million last month, although still down 15 percent on a record 2009 crop.