French drought could push up global wheat prices

France’s driest spring in 50 years is likely to have a heavy impact on its wheat harvest and could drive up global wheat prices, according to French agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire. Speaking at a press conference with reporters last week, Le Maire said it is not possible to know the loss of yield at this stage, but “we already know there will be a loss”. 

France is Western Europe’s largest producer of soft wheat, a high-starch, low-protein variety used in pastries and snack foods. The extent of wheat yield lost to the drought will be determined by the weather in the coming weeks, Le Maire said, after the French meteorological service, France Météo, reported that the 2011 spring has been the warmest and driest in 50 years more so than in 1976, which was previously the most severe spring drought on record. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers