PARIS, France (Reuters) – Wheat harvesting in Western Europe is in full swing, confirming lower yields in top producers France and Germany, analysts said. Crop damage was not as severe as feared after heat waves hit the region last month.
The heat was nowhere near the extent seen in Russia, where the worst drought in 130 years has destroyed crops in an area the size of Portugal, and sent world prices rocketing to new highs on lower export prospects.
French analysts predict the European wheat harvest will fall to 126- 128 million tonnes, down from 130 million tonnes last season, reduced by a five percent drop in yields but helped by a 1.5 percent rise in sown area.
France’s wheat harvest is two-thirds complete with a production consensus forming at around 34.5-35 million tonnes, down some 1.5 to two million tonnes on the previous year, but only just below the five-year average.
Fears over crop damage due to extreme heat in key development stages have faded slightly, analysts added.
