France Faces Potential Drop to Century’s Lowest Durum Wheat Production Amid Adverse Weather

As France braces for unfavorable weather conditions and a reduction in planting, its durum wheat production may plummet to the lowest levels of the century. In 2023, the country harvested its smallest durum wheat crop since 1997, totaling a mere 1.28 million metric tons. This downturn perpetuated a trend among French farmers who have been gradually diminishing durum cultivation due to its challenges compared to common wheat, coupled with the impacts of heavy rain in western France since the autumn.

The French agriculture ministry has projected the durum planting area for the 2024 harvest at 205,000 hectares, marking a 10.5% decrease from the preceding year. However, Arvalis, a crop institute, contends that if farmers succeed in sowing the remaining 25,000 hectares intended for durum along the Atlantic coast, the total area could equal the 236,000 hectares recorded last year. Otherwise, the planted area may align more closely with the ministry’s estimate.

The adverse conditions in the west combined with drought conditions along the Mediterranean coast suggest that the 2024 production may barely reach last year’s levels. If the weather deteriorates further, production may even plunge below 1 million tons, a record low since the early 1990s.

In the wake of the production decline, French pasta manufacturers are mulling over contributing to durum research programs for the first time. The French agriculture ministry is also exploring options for specific support for durum production following recent farmer protests. This initiative was communicated by Jean-Francois Loiseau, head of the grain industry group Intercereales.

Tags: harvest, planting, France, Production, crop, durum wheat, planting area