France - Grain conditions fall to four-year low

05.03.2018 1174 views

The condition of winter crops in France deteriorated last week to hit a four-year low, ahead of a sharp drop in temperatures recorded this week in the bloc’s largest grain producer.

Farm office FranceAgriMer said on Friday that 83 percent of French soft wheat was in good or excellent condition by Feb. 26, down from 85 percent a week earlier and 93 percent a year ago.

That was the lowest level of good and excellent crop conditions at this point of the season since 2014.

A bitter cold snap worsened in Western Europe this week raising concerns of damage to crops although crop analysts had expected little impact in France and said it may even help diminish the threat from pests and diseases.

For winter barley, FranceAgriMer said 80 percent of the crop was in good or excellent condition by Feb. 26 versus 82 percent a week earlier and 90 percent at the same point last year, while 77 percent of the durum wheat was in good or excellent condition versus 79 percent a week earlier and 82 percent last year.

Winter barley and durum conditions also recorded the weakest conditions seen at this point of the season since 2014.

Spring barley continued to advance with 17 percent sown by Feb. 26 but it was still running behind a year earlier.

Source - https://www.reuters.com
27.05.2026

Polish apple crop may decline 50% after April frosts

Sources in Poland's apple juice sector expect lower apple production in the 2026/27 season following late-April frosts in the country's main growing regions.

27.05.2026

Climate shocks drive demand for crop, livestock insurance among Kenyan farmers

As droughts and erratic weather disrupt farming seasons, more Kenyan farmers are turning to crop and livestock insurance to cushion themselves against losses.

27.05.2026

South Korea - South Gyeongsang Recognizes Garlic Crop Damage as Agricultural Disaster

South Gyeongsang Province has launched a detailed damage survey and disaster relief payment process after secondary garlic growth damage, known as "beolmaneul," caused by abnormal spring weather was officially recognized as a statutory agricultural disaster.

27.05.2026

Spain - Unións Agrarias urges the Xunta to act on the damage caused by wild boars to corn

Unións Agrarias (UU.AA.) has called for immediate intervention from the Xunta in response to the damage caused by wild boar to corn crops on "numerous farms" in the province of A Coruña.

27.05.2026

USA - APHIS announces funding to support chronic wasting disease control and prevention

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will provide approximately $12 million to support efforts by states and Tribal governments, research institutions, and universities to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild and farmed cervids (e.g., deer, elk).

27.05.2026

USA - Maryland wineries could face $2.4 million loss after grape crops wiped out by April freeze

Maryland wineries could face $2.4 million in losses after some grapes and other crops were destroyed by an April freeze, according to the Maryland Wineries Association (MWA).