Wheat harvest hopes rise

New York
Unusually warm winter weather in Western Europe means wheat has escaped major frost damage in leading producers, creating pre-conditions for a large harvest this summer, observers said on Friday.
“Frost damage is still possible for a couple more weeks but the threat level is decreasing each day,” one German analyst said. “The stage has been set for a good harvest, now we need favourable spring and summer weather.”
The European Union’s largest wheat producer and exporter, France, is on course for another big harvest this year and crops are in excellent shape after unusually warm weather in the second largest producer, Germany.
Some 91 percent of French soft wheat was in good or excellent condition on Mar. 9, up from 75 percent a year ago and the highest rating at this stage in five years, said farm agency FranceAgriMer.
“The mild winter allowed steady growth for later-sown crops,” said Paul Gaffet of agricultural consultancy ODA.