France Faces Lowest Wheat Harvest in 40 Years
August 10, 2024 – France is facing its lowest wheat harvest in the past 40 years, with estimates suggesting a reduction of almost 25% compared to the previous year. This decline, attributed to unfavorable weather conditions, has raised concerns among agricultural organizations.
The French Ministry of Agriculture reported an estimated production of 26.3 million tons of soft wheat, down 25% from 2023 and 23.9% compared to the average of the past five years. This drastic reduction has not been seen since 1987.
“This is a catastrophic year for French agriculture,” said Arnaud Rousseau, leader of the FNSEA agricultural union. “We urge the government to take action to support farmers during this difficult period.”
The poor harvest is attributed to a combination of factors. Heavy rainfall in the autumn hampered planting, and excessive rainfall and lack of sunshine negatively impacted crop quality. Additionally, the area dedicated to soft wheat cultivation decreased by 11% compared to the previous year.
The consequences of this diminished harvest extend beyond just wheat. Wine production in France is also expected to decline by 10% to 16% compared to the previous year, due to diseases exacerbated by humidity and weather-related issues.
The French Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that these figures are preliminary and subject to change as the harvest is still ongoing. However, the current outlook paints a grim picture of agricultural production in France.