by PressFrench farmers expand barley and rapeseed crops
Producers in France decided to increase barley crops and decrease wheat crops
France is the largest producer of agricultural products in the European Union. Traditionally, the country grows large volumes of various crops for the domestic market and for export. However, this season local farmers decided to change the ratio of crops produced. They increased the sowing of barley and rapeseed, while the area under wheat and sugar beet were reduced.
According to the new land holdings, soft wheat will occupy 4.79 million hectares. That’s almost 4 percent less than it was last season. Compared to the previous five years, the area under the crop is down by 0.7%. Winter wheat will also occupy a smaller area, the area sown will fall to 4.77 million hectares, which is low for the country, according to experts.
This season sugar beet is grown on 396 thousand hectares, which is 1.5% less than in the previous period. On average, in the past five years, the area sown under the crop was 11.6% more.
French farmers decided to increase the area for barley production. The acreage increased by 4.1% to 553 thousand hectares. At the same time, the estimated sowing of winter varieties did not change — 1.25 million hectares and the area under their cultivation increased by 4.3% — to 1.81 million hectares.
The area planted with rapeseed also increased to 1.16 million hectares. Last marketing year it was 18.4% less. However, despite the expansion of the area, this figure is still 6.7% below the five-year average.
According to reports from the line ministry, French farmers have also decided to review the distribution of land for the production of corn and sunflowers, but no specific information has been received yet. Experts expect that corn acreage will be reduced, while the area under sunflower cultivation will increase. Such changes are due to the fact that the oil crop requires less fertilizer, which is now in short supply.
Last marketing year, France lost one of its wheat markets, Algeria. The importer preferred the Black Sea grain, which was sold at a lower cost. In addition to pricing, the reason for the exclusion of French producers from the Algerian tenders was the diplomatic tensions between the countries.
However, now, against the backdrop of a reduced supply of Black Sea wheat, the situation may change, and France will once again become a major exporter for Algeria. In addition, European traders have reduced the price of their products, which makes them more competitive. The decline in the value of French wheat may mean the opening of the Asian and Egyptian markets for them.