Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)
French farmers are asking the government for financial support as there is a risk that this year’s wheat harvest will be the lowest in at least decades due to heavy rainfall, writes Bloomberg.
Field surveys show that French wheat production is down at least 15 percent from last year, but the AGPB group says it could be as much as 28 percent. This would mean a production of 26 million tons this season.
“The drop in yields is catastrophic for cereal producers,” AGPB president Eric Thirouin said in a statement, adding that their total income losses could exceed 1.6 billion euros.
Farmers are demanding compensation, tax relief and deferred loan payments.
According to Meteo France, this spring was the fourth wettest in the country’s history, with rainfall 45 percent above the 10-year average. Flooding and landslides across the country caused severe damage to agricultural land. The amount of sunshine was also almost 20% below the seasonal average.
By July 22, only 41% of the French common wheat harvest had been harvested, compared to 76% in the previous year. The quantities of soft wheat in good to very good condition were also down.