HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) — An exceptionally warm autumn and early winter have helped European Union wheat develop, but there is concern that growth may be too fast, making plants vulnerable to frost damage.
“Wheat sowings went well in most regions, so we have successfully jumped the first hurdle on the way to the 2015 harvest,” one trader said.
“But the remarkably warm weather may have pushed growth too far in several countries and if the winter suddenly turns very cold, frost damage could be a larger worry than usual.”
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French consultancy Strategie Grains estimates the EU’s soft wheat acres at about the same as last year’s record 59.8 million acres, helped by good seeding weather.
France, the EU’s largest wheat producer, is among countries concerned that rapid growth could make wheat vulnerable to frost.
French farmers are hoping for slightly lower winter temperatures to put wheat into dormancy.
Meanwhile, the current crop picture is good, with 93 percent of French wheat rated in good or excellent condition compared to 83 percent a year earlier, farm agency FranceAgriMer said.
Strategie Grains estimates that France’s soft wheat area for 2015 harvesting will be unchanged from last year at 12.35 million acres.
Wheat has also grown unusually quickly in Germany.
One analyst said a slight increase is expected in Germany’s winter wheat area from the 7.66 million acres harvested this year, as farmers turn away from less profitable rapeseed.
In Britain, the Home-Grown Cereals Authority said the wheat area is expected to decline five percent as farmers turn to barley and pulses.
