French Maize Crop Rating Holds Steady at Record Low
French grain maize crop ratings stabilized at a record low in mid-August after nine weeks of decline, with harvest prospects still grim.
France's grain maize crop has stopped deteriorating, but it remains stuck at the worst levels ever recorded, according to the latest weekly assessment from the country's farm office, FranceAgriMer.
The agency estimated that 29% of the grain maize crop was in good or excellent condition as of August 17. That figure is unchanged from the previous week, when the rating had fallen to its lowest point since records began in 2011.
The stabilization ends a run of nine consecutive weekly declines in the crop rating, offering a small respite after an exceptionally hot and dry summer.
Maize has been the hardest-hit cereal in France this season because it is still in its active growing phase during the peak of summer heat. Other crops had largely completed their growth cycles before the worst of the weather arrived.
While intense heat has eased since last weekend and some regions have seen rainfall return, crop observers believe the change in weather has come too late to meaningfully improve the maize crop. The harvest is widely expected to be the smallest in 50 years.
A year ago, 62% of the grain maize crop was rated in good or excellent condition, highlighting the severity of this season's decline.